18
For decision
on 19 April 1988
CONFIDENTIAL
XCC (88)42 30..
Copy No..
MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
13
Mr Filot tyi. Br
Mas slater
Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance PA
(Chapter 172)
Television Ordinance
(Chapter 52)
N
21/4
HKD 301
1/1
Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance
(No. 9/87)
FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1988
THE PROBLEM
A
Following
further consultations with the LegCo Ad-hoc Group on Film Censorship and Classification since the first reading of the Bill in the Legislative Council on 9 March 1988, the Administration will be asked to respond at the resumed debate of the Film Censorship Bill 1988 on 18 May 1988 to a number of points raised by the Group. One of the Ad-hoc Group's proposals is that reference should be made in clause 10 of the Bill to the provisions (Annex A) of the International Covenant
on
of Article 19 Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) concerning freedom of
expression. Inclusion of this reference, if agreed, would be effected by the Administration moving an amendment at the committee stage.
2
The Ad-Hoc Group has further proposed that any decision to censor a film on political grounds under clause 10(2)(c) should be made at the level of Secretary, Government Secretariat.
RECOMMENDATION AND ADVICE SOUGHT
3
Members will be asked to advise whether
(a)
a
committee
stage amendment should be moved to include a new sub-clause 10(3) (d) to the Film Censorship Bill 1988 as follows -
"(d)
(b)
article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (which deals with the principle of freedom of expression)."
the powers of the censor under clause 10(2) (c) should remain unchanged.
CONFIDENTIAL