香港公民，團結列陣 – 香港區議員海外網絡成立宣言
香港公民，團結列陣 – 香港區議員海外網絡成立宣言
香港公民，為認同並追求自由、民主、公義、道德等普世價值，認同香港的主權在於香港人民，擁護香港成立一個三權分立且民主自由之政體，並在沒有外部壓迫或干擾的情況下，可以自由決定他們的政治地位、經濟、社會和文化的發展之原則，並獲核實於香港出生，或曾於香港居住超過七年的自由香港人及其後代。
1841年1月26日，香港在英國與清國的戰爭的背景下，成為英國的殖民地並正式開埠，開啟了作為自由港的歷史。在此經歷156年6個月後，香港的主權在未有得到香港公民參與和授權下，由英國政府被移交到由中國共產黨控制的中華人民共和國手中。縱然當時中共曾對香港人宣稱會保障民主自由等權利，兩國政府卻早於1970年代於聯合國層面剝奪港人自決權。而在1980年代香港前途談判中，中共與英方均未有任何途徑讓香港公民參與決議香港殖民地前途，自行決定香港的未來。故此香港的主權被移交，前宗主國政府及香港人卻未意識到，一切宣稱僅是新統治者美其名為「回歸」之洗腦文宣，容讓香港被中共統治，只是把自己的未來送到一個欺世盜名的騙子政權手上。
香港主權被單方面移交中共後21年，經歷共產黨的傀儡政權破壞三權分立、漠視和平民意、殘酷對待公民、侵害人身安全、壓制言論自由等違反人權之行為，香港公民終於意識到由極權的獨裁者統治下，根本不可能享有真正由民主制度而生的政府，更不用提尊重公民權利和實踐「主權在民」的期許。香港只是由一個開明的殖民宗主國手中，交到另一個獨裁殖民者手上。香港人並未能實現在主權移交時被應許的真正以「香港人意志及福祉」去實行的「香港人管治香港人」。
幸而在2019年11月24日，於支持民主自由的香港公民的努力下，香港實現了歷史上最能彰顯香港公民意志的選舉 – 2019年區議會選舉。縱使獨裁政權以不法的政治審查方式取消了一位候選人的資格，佔登記選民人數71.23%的2,943,842名登記選民仍然以一人一票方式，在知悉這可能是最後一次在香港境內進行的自由民主選舉下，在1090名候選人中選出了452名民選議員，以他們的選票授權這些議員為了香港公民的福祉，代表香港公民行使民意授權。
然而，視民意為無物的獨裁政權及其傀儡，決不容讓民主議會承載民意與極權對抗。自2019年區議會選舉選出的民主議會於2020年1月1日履職後，獨裁政權先後以聲稱「違法」、「超越職權」等藉口，杯葛民主議會，並僭建法例及憲法條文，褫奪屬於民主議會及議員一直享有的政治權力、價值及地位，包括但不限於選舉於立法機關的代表及政府行政首長的權力。傀儡們更以恐嚇的方式，迫令民主議會議員離職，甚至以各種不義的手段，褫奪議員職務。未有通過任何民主授權而生的極權法律「國安法」的降臨，更令香港公民相繼逃離本屬於他們的應許之地，被迫離散海外。
民主議會在議員被強迫離職下變相在香港解散，不能再度於香港進行符合民主程序的議會活動，但這並不代表被迫離開崗位的議員們的合法性，及他們所承載的民意授權霎然消失。相反，民主議員們所承載的選舉結果和民主授權，在香港能再一次實現安全、有公信力、無篩選和政治審查、且符合普世價值的民主選舉之前，仍然有其代表性及價值。
獨裁政權及其負責統治香港的傀儡組織，固然不被香港公民承認為合法管轄香港的機關。眾多的香港公民在極權打壓下被迫分佈海外，令真正能夠代表香港民意的選舉，在2019年的區議會選舉後不復存在。在獨裁政權及其傀儡倒下之前，所有在香港進行的以「選舉」為名的動作，都將不被香港公民視為能代表香港意志的合法選舉，其所產生的代表亦不具備任何香港公民的代表性及合法性。
我們作為現時身在共產香港以外地區的「港外區議員」，宣布成立一個由2019年民選議員而成，且支持香港公民價值及「主權在民」原則、「香港人管治香港人」命運的區議員網絡 – 香港區議員海外網絡，以承接民意及擔起連結香港人的工作。
我們將會基於本宣言以及2020年6月30日當日區議會的組成及協作，作為本網絡的組成及行事基礎。本網絡將會向香港公民負責，並將會議議程等文件定期於網上公開。會議將會定期舉行，並會不時就着香港內外關於香港公民的議題及本網絡的行事規範作出討論、決議、聯署及行動，以及與公民團體共同行動，以向各方機構及個人爭取香港公民的最大福祉。
香港末代民選區議員
中西區 許智峯
中西區 葉錦龍
灣仔區 張嘉莉
東區 黎志強
油尖旺 林兆彬
深水埗 李文浩
荃灣區 賴文輝
屯門區 巫堃泰
西貢區 李賢浩
沙田區 丘文俊
沙田區 許銳宇
沙田區 曾 杰
沙田區 丁仕元
葵青區 周偉雄
葵青區 郭子健
開埠一八三年
二〇二三年九月二十一日
Hong Kong Citizens, Unite in Formation – Declaration of the Hong Kong District Councilor Diaspora Network
Hong Kong citizens, united in our pursuit of universal values such as freedom, democracy, justice, and morality, and in our recognition that the sovereignty of Hong Kong belongs to the people of Hong Kong, declare our unwavering support for a system in Hong Kong that upholds the principles of separation of powers, democracy, and freedom, allowing us to freely determine our political status, economic development, social progress, and cultural growth without external oppression or interference. This declaration also extends to free Hong Kong residents who were born in Hong Kong or have resided in Hong Kong for more than seven years, as well as their descendants.
On January 26, 1841, amidst the backdrop of a conflict between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong became a British colony and officially opened its port, marking the beginning of its history as a free port. After 156 years and 6 months, Hong Kong’s sovereignty was transferred from the British government to the People’s Republic of China, controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, without the participation or authorization of Hong Kong citizens. Although the Chinese Communist Party had promised to safeguard democratic freedoms and rights for the people of Hong Kong at that time, both governments had already stripped Hong Kong of its self-determination rights on the international stage in the 1970s. During the negotiations on Hong Kong’s future in the 1980s, neither the Chinese Communist Party nor the British government provided a means for Hong Kong citizens to participate in deciding the future of the colony. Consequently, the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong was executed, and both the former colonial government and the people of Hong Kong failed to realize that the promises made were merely manipulative propaganda under the guise of “reunification,” resulting in Hong Kong being handed over to a deceitful regime.
Twenty-one years after Hong Kong’s sovereignty was unilaterally transferred to the Chinese Communist Party, Hong Kong has endured a puppet regime that has systematically eroded the separation of powers, disregarded peaceful public opinion, cruelly treated its citizens, violated personal safety, and suppressed freedom of speech. Hong Kong citizens have come to the realization that under the rule of an authoritarian dictatorship, the dream of having a government genuinely born out of democratic principles is unattainable, let alone the expectation of respecting citizens’ rights and practicing the principle of “sovereignty in the hands of the people.” Hong Kong has simply transitioned from being under the control of one enlightened colonial power to another authoritarian colonizer. The people of Hong Kong were never able to exercise the true “Hong Kong people to run Hong Kong” as promised during the sovereignty transfer.
Fortunately, on November 24, 2019, through the efforts of Hong Kong citizens who support democracy and freedom, Hong Kong witnessed the most significant elections in its history – the 2019 District Council elections. Despite the authoritarian regime unlawfully disqualifying a candidate through political screening, 2,943,842 registered voters, constituting 71.23% of eligible voters, exercised their right to vote. In what might be the last democratic election held within Hong Kong, 452 elected district councilors were chosen from among 1,090 candidates. These elected representatives have been granted authority through the votes of Hong Kong citizens to act on their behalf for the welfare of the people of Hong Kong.
However, the authoritarian regime and its puppets, who have no regard for the will of the people, will never allow a democratic legislature to carry the weight of public opinion and counter their totalitarian rule. After the democratically elected district councils took office on January 1, 2020, the authoritarian regime used excuses such as “unlawful” and “ultra vires” to obstruct the democratic councils. They went on to enact legislation and manipulate constitutional provisions to strip away the political powers, values, and status that the democratic councils and councilors had enjoyed, including but not limited to the power to represent constituents in the legislature and the power to elect the Chief Executive. These puppets further employed intimidation tactics, forcing democratic council members to resign and, in some cases, unlawfully removing them from office. The imposition of the authoritarian “National Security Law,” without any democratic mandate, led to an exodus of Hong Kong citizens from their promised homeland, forcing them into exile abroad.
The dissolution of the democratic councils under the pressure of council members’ forced resignations does not mean that these council members lost their legitimacy or the mandate they carried. Instead, the electoral results and democratic mandate held by these council members retain their significance and value until true, safe, credible, unfiltered, and politically unscreened democratic elections, in line with universal values, can be realized again in Hong Kong.
The authoritarian regime and its puppet organizations responsible for governing Hong Kong are not recognized by Hong Kong citizens as legitimate authorities governing Hong Kong. Many Hong Kong citizens have been forced into exile due to authoritarian oppression, and the possibility of elections truly representing Hong Kong citizens, as demonstrated in the 2019 District Council elections, has ceased to exist. Therefore, until the fall of the authoritarian regime and its puppets, all actions carried out in Hong Kong under the name of “elections” will not be regarded by Hong Kong citizens as legitimate elections representing the will of Hong Kong. The representatives produced by such elections will not possess the legitimacy or representation of any Hong Kong citizen.
As “Overseas District Councilors” currently residing outside Communist-controlled Hong Kong, we hereby declare the establishment of a District Councilors Network for Hong Kong – The Hong Kong District Councilor Diaspora Network. This network is composed of district councilors elected in 2019 who support the values of Hong Kong citizens and the principles of “sovereignty in the hands of the people” and “Hong Kong people to run Hong Kong.” We pledge to serve as a bridge to carry the will of the people and connect with the people of Hong Kong.
Based on this declaration and the composition and collaboration of district councils on June 30, 2020, this network will serve as the foundation for our structure and actions. We will be accountable to Hong Kong citizens and regularly disclose meeting agendas and related documents online. Meetings will be held periodically, and we will engage in discussions, resolutions, endorsements, actions, and collaborations with civic groups on issues concerning Hong Kong citizens, both within and outside Hong Kong, as well as the operational norms of this network, to secure the maximum welfare of Hong Kong citizens.
Last Elected Democratic District Councilors of Hong Kong
Central and Western District – Hui Chi-fung Ted
Central and Western District – Yip Kam-lung Sam
Wan Chai District – Clara Cheung
Eastern District – Lai Chi-keung
Yau Tsim Mong District – Lam Siu-ban
Sham Shui Po District – Lee Man-ho
Tsuen Wan District – Lai Man-fai
Tuen Mun District – Michael Mo
Sai Kung District – Ryan Lee
Sha Tin District – Man Yau
Sha Tin District – Hui Yui-yu
Sha Tin District – Tsang Kit
Sha Tin District – Ting Si-yuen
Kwai Tsing District – Chow Wai-hung
Kwai Tsing District – Kwok Tsz-kin
Established in the Year 183 of the Founding of Hong Kong
On September 21, 2023