CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 1176
OF 220945Z MARCH 88
CONFIDENTIAL
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006243 MDLIAN 4223
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FILM CENSORSHIP BILL 1988
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE ADVICE GIVEN IN YOUR TEL NO 657. AFTER CONSIDERING THE POLITICAL FACTORS IN HONG KONG, WE ARE NONETHELESS MINDED TO ADD A REFERENCE TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS (ICCPR) AS A FURTHER MATTER A CENSOR MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT UNDER CLAUSE 10(3) OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP BILL (THE BILL) FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
(A) THE INCLUSION WOULD BE SEEN AS A CONCESSION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP. IT WOULD FURTHER ISOLATE THE OPPOSITION AND THE BILL WOULD GET A SMOOTHER PASSAGE IN THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
(B) THIS WOULD PROVIDE A STRONG ANSWER TO ANY QUERY REGARDING
THE COMPATIBILITY OF THE BILL WITH THE ICCPR.
2. IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION THAT THE REFERENCE TO ARTICLE 19 SHOULD BE INCORPORATED IN CLAUSE 10(3).
IN MIFT, WE ARE ASKING
FOR FURTHER ADVICE ON A RELATED POINT.
FORD
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MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS
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CONFIDENTIAL