XN000022-1996-12-04 — Page 20

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Policy in handling demonstrations explained

Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Cheng and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The Governor has stated publicly that demonstrators would be served with hot tea and mattresses so as to facilitate them to express their dissident views. However, on 15 November this year, the police deployed more than 200 officers to stand guard outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The police contained the demonstrators in a restricted "demonstration area" and used force to remove the belongings of the peaceful demonstrators. Later on, the Secretary for Security also stressed that the same tactics would be adopted to handle future demonstrations. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

why there is such a serious difference between the Governor's stance on handling demonstrators and that of the Secretary for Security;

whether the remarks made by the Secretary for Security represent the Government's policy in handling peaceful demonstrations in future; and

whether the Secretary for Security's remarks and the recent actions of the police are in breach of the Bill of Rights and unfair to peaceful demonstrators and petitioners?

Reply:

Mr President,

There is no divergent view between the Governor and myself on the handling of public processions and gatherings. Let me take this opportunity to make it clear what the Government's policy is in handling demonstrations.

Hong Kong is a free and open society. We fully respect individual rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights Ordinance. At the same time, the Bill of Rights permits restrictions on the exercise of such rights which are necessary in the interest of, amongst other things, public safety or public order. The community would expect protesters exercising these rights to abide by the law and not to create public disorder, so that their protest could take place in a peaceful and orderly manner. We are satisfied that the recent actions taken by the Police in regulating public processions and assemblies are necessary to preserve public safety and public order, and that such actions are consistent with the Bill of Rights.

End

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