Urgent Business: Hong Kong, Freedom of Expression and 1997
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Preface by Emily Lau and William Shawcross
Introduction by Frances D'Souza .
Conclusion and Recommendations
OVERVIEW.
1.
1.1
Background
+
•
1.2 China's Policies
·
1.3
Recent Developments
+ D
1.4
UK: The Policy of "Convergence"
•
2.
iii
•
•
•
V
vii
•
•
1
1
2
3
4
2.1
CONSTITUTIONAL TRANSITION: THE RISKS FOR FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION
Background
• • •
6
6
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Interpretation and Amendment
Freedom of Expression.
The Basic Law and the International Covenant After 1997 .
2.4.1 National security
Subversion..
8
•
•
•
•
9
10
·
12
12
2.6
2.7
Treason, Secession, Sedition, and Theft of State Secrets Prohibitions on Foreign Political Organizations
14
*
15
2.8
2.9
Turmoil and the Declaration of an Emergency Lost Democracy
16
•
17
3.
3.1
THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.
Article 16 on Freedom of Expression . .
18
18
3.1.1 Holding opinions without interference
19
· ·
3.2
3.1.2 Seeking, receiving and imparting information and ideas 3.1.3 Restrictions, special duties, responsibilities Article 16 and the Broader Context of the Bill.
20
21
•
24
• •
3.2.1 Derogation
24
•
3.2.2
Reservations
25
•
3.2.3 Entrenchment and supremacy
. 25
• •
3.3
Review of Laws ..
. 26
3.4
The Impact of the Bill of Rights .
29
4.
HOSTAGES TO FORTUNE: THE ARMOURY OF COLONIAL
LEGISLATION.
4.1
Emergency Powers .
• •
4.2
Official Secrets and Information .
•
4.3
Sedition and Treason..
30
31
33
36
i