XN000022-1990-06-27 — Page 5

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1990

HE SAID CONCERN HAD ALSO BEEN EXPRESSED THAT IF IT PROVED NECESSARY FOR CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES TO ADJUST THEIR ENABLING LEGISLATION SO AS TO ACCOMMODATE THE LEGAL DEMANDS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS THEN THIS SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER.

"I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION ATTACHES THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO THE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICE AND THE ICAC AND THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES, MR MATHEWS SAID.

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"EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT ANY NECESSARY AMENDMENT TO LAWS WHICH REGULATE LAW AND ORDER IN HONG KONG WILL PREJUDICE THAT EFFECTIVENESS."

HE NOTED THAT THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE PROPOSED "FREEZE PERIOD" BE REDUCED FROM TWO YEARS TO ONE YEAR WITH A SCHEDULE IDENTIFYING ORDINANCES AND PARTICULAR PROVISIONS IN THEM ΤΟ BE FROZEN AND THAT THIS PERIOD MIGHT BE EXTENDED FOR A FURTHER YEAR IF JUSTIFIED.

"THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL WAS WIDER IN THAT WE SUGGESTED A: TWO-YEAR FREEZE ON ALL EXISTING LEGISLATION.

"THE MOVE BEHIND THE AD HOC GROUP'S PROPOSAL IS CLEARLY THAT WE SHOULD GET THE BILL OF RIGHTS WORKING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND LET THE COURTS DECIDE ISSUES OF COMPATIBILITY.

"WE

SYMPATHISE WITH THAT FEELING BUT I SHOULD REMIND MEMBERS THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE TWO-YEAR FREEZE AS PROPOSED IN THE DRAFT BILL IS NOT ONLY TO IDENTIFY LAWS AT RISK, BUT ALSO TO GIVE MEMBERS ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER WHAT CHANGES TO SUCH LAWS MAY BE DESIRABLE. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PRUDENT COURSE.

"IT IS NOT A NOVEL CONCEPT FOR THERE IS PRECEDENT FOR IT ELSEWHERE. NEVERTHELESS MEMBERS CAN BE ASSURED THAT WE WILL GIVE THEIR PROPOSAL THE MOST CAREFUL CONSIDERATION," MR MATHEWS SAID.

BILL OF RIGHTS WILL BOOST CONFIDENCE

THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SHE IS CONVINCED THAT A BILL OF RIGHTS, HOWEVER IMPERFECT, WILL BOOST THE CONFIDENCE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE SEEN AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION.

LEADING OFF THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS, MRS CHOW APPEALED TO THE GOVERNMENT TO DO ALL IT COULD TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF HUMAN RIGHTS WITHIN A FREE AND RESPONSIBLE SOCIETY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE BILL.

/HER MOTION