Abstract:
Szeto Wah (28 February 1931 – 2 January 2011) was a politician of the pan-democracy camp of Hong Kong. He was formerly the chairman of The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China and a member of the Legislative Council (Education) from 1985 to 1997 and 1998 to 2004 accordingly. He was appointed by the Chinese Central Government to be a member of the Basic Law Drafting Committee in 1985.
Although the Hong Kong government prior to as well as after the British handover shunned him for his opposition to their policies, Szeto was admired in Hong Kong politics for his strong principles, for eschewing personal gain, and for his rare political acumen.
Szeto entered the teaching profession in 1952, and became headmaster of the GCEPSA Kwun Tong Primary School in 1961. He was the founder of Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union.
Szeto was awarded the Outstanding Award by Chinese Democracy Education Foundation and the Homo Homini Award for human rights activism by the Czech group People in Need in 1989 and 1997 correspondingly. In 2001, Szeto was awarded the Human and Trade Union Rights Award by Education International for the recognition of his contribution.
Causes Supported:
Human Rights, Poverty, Education
Source of Information:
Szeto-wah’s Profile
BBC News
A vote held by HKATV
The Economists
Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union
Photo Credit:
Guardian
