TNAG-1689-FCO40-2339-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 65

8

CAP. 245]

Public Order

[1981 Ed.

1

Power of Commissioner of Police to

prohibit notified public meeting.

Designated public areas.

General conditions applying to public meetings.

9.

(1) Subject to this section, the Commissioner of Police may prohibit the holding of any public meeting notified under section 8(1) on any of the following grounds—

(a) that the notice does not comply with section 8(2);

(b) that advertisements of the public meeting have been pub- lished, distributed or displayed in contravention of this Ordinance;

(c) that the holding of the public meeting is, in the opinion of the Commissioner, likely to prejudice the maintenance of public order or to be used for any unlawful purpose; (d) that any person or society or organization connected or associated with the holding or conduct of the public meeting or, in the opinion of the Commissioner, likely to be concerned in the holding, convening, organizing, form- ing or conduct thereof, has been convicted of any offence under this Ordinance.

(2) Notice of a prohibition under subsection (1) shall be given-

(a) either orally or in writing, to the person or to one of the persons (if more than one) promoting, directing, organiz- ing or managing the public meeting; or

(b) by publication, either orally or in writing, in such manner, or by posting a notice thereof in such place, as the Commissioner of Police may think fit.

(3) The power conferred by subsection (1) shall not be exer- cised in respect of any public meeting notified under section 8 after the expiration of 4 days (excluding Sundays and general holidays) from the date on which the public meeting is so notified:

Provided that in the case of a public meeting in respect of which less than 7 days' notice (excluding Sundays and general holidays) is accepted under section 8(1), the power so conferred may be exercised at any time not later than 24 hours prior to the date on which such public meeting is intended to be held.

10. The Governor may by order designate any area as a designated public area for the purposes of this Part.

11. (1) The Governor in Council may by order prescribe general conditions in respect of the holding of public meetings, including conditions relating to any of the following matters--

(a) the maintenance of good order and public safety at any

public meeting;

(b) the location, time and duration of any public meeting; (c) the presentation of any stage performance or other enter-

tainment at any public meeting;