of women in Hong Kong: Article 1 states that men and women have an equal right to enjoyment of the rights in the Bill
and Article 22 states that all persons are equal before the
law.
Prosecutions brought against leading liberals for
unauthorised use of Loudspeakers
7.
During January and February 1990, several leading
liberals in Hong Kong conducted marches to demonstrate
against the Basic Law. They used loudspeakers and collected
money from the public during these demonstrations despite
warnings from the police that they had not obtained the
necessary permits. The organisers were warned by the police that they were in breach the law but they ignored the
warnings. As a result the prosecuting authorities decided
to issue summonses under the Summary Offences Ordinance for
the illegal use of loudspeakers and unauthorised collection
of funds. In July 1990 the defendents were all found guilty
and each fined a token sum (£10). These cases are still subjudice pending appeal.
8.
These prosecutions attracted adverse publicity both here and in Hong Kong. It was suggested that the laws concerned made it difficult to conduct a proper election campaign and were designed to stifle democratic
expression. The Hong Kong Government are currently reviewing all existing legislation to ensure that it is
compatible with the Bill of Rights and the relevant
provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights. But it is unlikely that the Summary
Offences Ordinance will be repealed since the ICCPR
permits restrictions necessary for the protection of the
rights of others and public order.
References: A Joint Declaration
MUKALF/3
VAS
B Basic Law
C Hong Kong Draft Bill of Rights