OOACM
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VISIT TO HONG KONG BY LORD GLENARTHUR, 16-19 SEPTEMBER
BRIEF NO 16: PRESS CONFERENCE
(x) Public Order (Amendment) Ordinance and Film Censorship
Public Order (Amendment) Ordinance
1.
Matter for Hong Kong Government. Measures passed on 11 March represent a considerable liberalisation in comparison to previous position. Understand that measures were passed by large LegCo majority after full debate.
2.
Would be wrong for HMG to intervene. Would be poor precedent
for SAR's autonomy after 1997. Understand Hong Kong Government has
undertaken to keep operation of new legislation under close review.
Film Censorship Bill
3.
Matter for Hong Kong Government. JegCo will consider
legislation in due course. Wrong for me to comment at this stage.
(Contravenes International Covenant?)
4.
Has been speculation in Hong Kong that proposed legislation
contravenes provisions of International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights. Understand that Hong Kong Government's legal
advisers following consultation with FCO have reached contrary
view.
"Spycatcher"
(HMG attacking freedom of speech in Hong Kong by seeking to prevent
Setting poor example for after 1997?)
publication?
5.
In its legal proceedings in Hong Kong, as in UK, Australia
and elsewhere, HMG seeking to uphold principle that former member of
security service owes lifelong duty of confidentiality to Crown.
This principle essential to effectiveness of the security service.
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