The United States said Friday it had “serious reservations” about Hong Kong's State Department deputy spokesman Philip Reeker noted that Chief Executive Under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the territory's mini-constitution, The government is hoping to have the legislation on the statute books by July. The controversial bill went before Hong Kong's Legislative Council on “Serious reservations remain about provisions for the proscription of organizations “We encourage the Administration and the Legislature to consider carefully […] Human rights and pro-democracy groups fear China could use the new law to suppress The proposed laws have proved deeply divisive, prompting mass protests last http://sg.news.yahoo.com/030503/1/3aov4.html
proposed sedition law, despite changes made by the territory's government
to the controversial legisation.
Tung Chee-hwa's government had changed its initial draft of the law in
response to concerns raised during last year's public consultation period.
“We encourage the Hong Kong government to be receptive to additional proposals
for clarification or safeguards as the bill is considered in the Legislative
Council,” he said.
Hong Kong is obliged to pass laws banning treason, sedition, subversion and
the theft of state secrets.
February 26, albeit in a watered down form from its original draft following
protests during the three-month consultation period.
endangering national security. As currently drafted, the law stands to blur
the dividing lines between the Chinese and Hong Kong legal systems,” Reeker
said in a statement.
the international community's expressions of concern with respect to this
aspect of the Article 23 legislation.”
freedoms including those of media, speech and religion.
December both for and against the legislation.
Posting date: 9/May/2003
Original article date: 3/May/2003
Category: Media Reports
