18
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
Issue
Objective/explanation
Secretary for Security (Cont'd)
Article 23 Basic Law Offences
Review of Public Order Ordinance
Apart from the offences of treason and sedition (covered by the Crimes Ordinance at present, but which are included as offences under Article 23 of the Basic Law), and theft of state secrets (covered by the Official Secrets Act, which lapse in 1997, and is an Article 23 offence) Article 23 lists other offences for which legislation is required (i.e. secession, subversion against the CPG, prohibition of foreign political organisations/ bodies conducting political activities in the SAR and prohibition of political organisations/bodies of the SAR establishing ties with foreign political organisations/bodies.)
To simplify procedures for holding public meetings and processions and to remove
possible inconsistencies with the BOR Ordinance.
Present status/progress
China interest⭑
UK interest*
ExCo's advice will be sought before the end of this year on localisation of the Official Secrets Act and on how to deal with the other Article 23 offences.
We plan to circulate on ExCo information note to inform Members of the necessary fine-turning of the Bill and the legislative time-table. We hope to introduce the Bill into LegCo in early November.
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CONFIDENTIAL #2