Letter from The Society for Truth and Light

Recently, some individuals and organizations have protested the granting of a contract by the EMB to us to run a course on human rights.

First of all, it must be made absolutely clear that the Society was awarded the contract through open bidding. In the past few years, we had organized seminars and courses on human rights, the media, gambling, etc. and these were well received.

Secondly, we are always concerned about human rights. What we also emphasize is that human rights must go hand in hand with responsibilities, so as to establish a balanced society. Maybe our view on human rights does not fit with that of some people, but we have as much right to our view as they have to theirs.

Thirdly, the course does not promulgate the Society’s view on human rights. It aims at helping participants to view human rights from a macroscopic perspective. The Society for Truth and Light merely acts a coordinator of the course, making administrative arrangements for its successful conduct. The majority of the course instructors are not members of our staff; instead, they are experts from different disciplines: barrister-at-law, ex-legislative councillor, experienced journalist, social worker, etc. Unless these protesting individuals and organizations are privy to what will be said and taught in the course, it is utterly irresponsible of them to protest before the course even started, not to mention how unfair this is to the course instructors. At the end of the course, comments will be gathered from the participants and then EMB can judge for itself whether they have chosen the right organization to conduct this course and the public comment on its content.

Fourthly, the Society does not shy away from what may be unpopular, or even politically incorrect. It is always prepared to discuss and debate its views with members of the public based on facts and research findings. We demand that our rights be respected as we have respected the rights of other segments of society.