International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(which the Hong Kong Bill of Rights is intended to
implement) permit restrictions necessary for the
protection of the rights of others and public order.
Reasonable restrictions on the use of amplification equipment and public collections are consistent with
this.
The cases are all either subject to appeal or still
to be heard and are likely to remain sub judice for some
time. We therefore recommend that the Prime Minister
sends a short reply to Mr Ashdown.
NOBAEF