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CONFIDENTIAL
ZCZC
CONFIDENTIAL
OUT TELEGRAM
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PRIORITY
TELIC
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO
OF 131100Z FEBRUARY 92
AND TO PRIORITY PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
YOUR TELNOS 148, 212 AND PEKING TELNO 90: BILL OF RIGHTS: REVIEW
OF LEGISLATION: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SOCIETIES ORDINANCE
YYYY
MAIN
ADDITIONAL
INNN
20
1. We agree with your view (first TUR para 3) that the present registration system and the wide discretion to refuse registration of societies under the ordinance could well be seen by the Courts as an infringement of the right to ''Freedom of Association'' under Article 18 of the Bill of Rights (BOR), and consequently that the ordinance requires amendment before the
''freeze'' expires.
2. We agree that you should consult ExCo on the approach set out in first TUR. We would be interested to see the draft
amendment Bill when it is ready. Without seeing the proposals
in detail it is difficult to offer specific comments, but the
following points occur to us at this stage and may be useful in
further refining your approach: In principle, we see no
objection to a requirement for societies to notify their establishment to the Commissioner of Police (CP). In second TUR
(para 1), you refer to companies.
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