TNAG-1449-FCO40-1953-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 170

Sir,

UMELCO

DRAFT SPEECH BY HON HUI YIN FAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 7.5.86

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 1986

My honourable friend Mrs Selina CHOW has already spoken on the bill's provisions with regard to newspaper and broadcast reports of notices etc issued by the Consumer Council for the information of the public. I shall confine myself to

Clause 3 which extends section 28 of the Ordinance to prevent

the defence of qualified privilege being afforded to defamatory

statements made by candidates in Legislative Council and

District Board elections.

Although Clause 3 is a tidying up exercise, inasmuch as it simply brings Legislative Council and District Board

elections into line with those of the Regional and Urban

Council (which are already covered by section 28), it is a timely reminder of the need for fair play to candidates in the conduct of election campaigns. We social workers uphold the principle of respect for the individual's rights and privileges. Constructive criticism of an opponent's election platform is one thing; but unfounded personal attacks upon one's opponents should have no place in elections in Hong Kong.

I will not labour on this point today, for I know that

all Members of this Council share a common concern to protect

the integrity of Hong Kong's election processes. I hope,

however, that the Government will take effective steps to ensure that the provisions of section 28 and also of section 16 of the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Ordinance (regarding knowingly publishing false statements concerning a candidate at an election) receive sufficient publicity in future elections.

With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.

0426S

UMELCO