XN000022-1994-10-26 — Page 36

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1994

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN FULLY BRIEFED ON THE WAYS IN WHICH THE COVENANTS ARE NOW APPLIED IN HONG KONG. ONE OF THE KEY PROVISIONS IS THE OBLIGATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, AS THE SOVEREIGN POWER, TO REPORT ON HONG KONG TO THE RELEVANT TREATY MONITORING BODIES. THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT HAS MADE CLEAR ITS VIEW THAT TO MEET ITS OBLIGATION UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FULFILL THIS REPORTING OBLIGATION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR VIEWS KNOWN TO THE CHINESE SIDE.

PRESS FREEDOM

I TURN NOW TO THE QUESTION OF PRESS FREEDOM.

THE ADMINISTRATION'S COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLE OF PRESS FREEDOM IS FIRM AND UNSHAKABLE. IT INTENDS TO TAKE WHATEVER PRACTICAL MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO PRESERVE AND REINFORCE THIS IMPORTANT ASPECT OF OUR WAY OF LIFE. THIS COMMITMENT IS WELL DEMONSTRATED BY OUR PROGRAMME TO IDENTIFY PROVISIONS IN OUR LAWS THAT COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE PRESS AND TO REMOVE THEM AS SOON AS OUR LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME ALLOWS. TO DATE, 27 ORDINANCES HAVE BEEN REVIEWED, INCLUDING 17 CITED BY THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS

ASSOCIATION.

AMENDMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE TO 3 OF THESE ORDINANCES, AND PROPOSALS TO AMEND 2 OTHER ORDINANCES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD то THIS COUNCIL IN THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL.

WORK IS IN HAND ON THE AMENDMENT OF 5 MORE ORDINANCES. THESE INCLUDE AMENDMENTS ΤΟ THE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS ORDINANCE AND THE PRISONS ORDINANCE, AMENDMENTS TO LAWS ON BROADCASTING AND PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT, AND THE REPEAL OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE PUBLICATION OF DEFAMATORY LIBELS AND TO RESTRICTIONS ON THE REPORTING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS.

IN RESPECT OF 7 OTHER ORDINANCES, INCLUDING THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS, THE CRIMES ORDINANCE, THE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS AND THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE BEST WAY TO PROCEED WITH THE COMPLEX ISSUES INVOLVED.

IS

REGARDING THE REMAINING PROVISIONS, WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THERE NO INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THEM AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, THEY EXIST TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY OR THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

AS

A

THIS REVIEW OF LEGISLATION AFFECTING PRESS FREEDOM HAS BEEN FAR REACHING AND COMPREHENSIVE EXERCISE. IT IS NOT YET FINISHED, BUT WE FIRMLY INTEND TO PUSH IT AHEAD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

/ANOTHER ASPECT