TNAG-1731-FCO40-2444-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 287

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MR LAIĆ U OLA):

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Sir, first of all, I wish to pay tribute to the

4 Ad Hoc Group on the Film. Censorship Bill under the

5 convenorship of Mr. Yeung Po-kwan, because they have put

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6 in a lot of work in the past fourteen months.

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The Bill under discussion is extremely important.

It touches freedom of speech of the people of Hong Kong. 10 My own principle is, all legislation that may affect freedom

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of expression, should be dealt with very carefully in order 12 to meet the requirements and the spirit of the International

and. 13 Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, especially the wording

particularly ✓14 involving degree of tolerance is important.

After 1997,

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the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be using e 16 enjoying the same laws that we have now, or are being amended 17 now.

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Se

Le

Having heard the very clear explanations offered by 20 Mr, Yeung and Mr. Martin Lee, the question as to which of the two 21 is the better choice in order to ensure freedom of expression, 22 is a very technical one and is difficult for someone outside. 23 the profession to make a decision, but if the question is 24 merely a legal one, and if Mr. Yeung's amendment is sufficient 25 to safeguard freedom of expression, then the question I ask is 26 why is it that we have two legal associations, that is the 27 Bar Association and the Law Society are much against that 28 formulation, and why is it that the Journalists' Association are 29 also strongly against it? If our intention is to abide by the 30 International Covenant, why do we not simply say it in that 31 many words with the formulation of 'comply with' and allay the 32 fears of these professional bodies.

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strongly

Sir, under the premise and for that reason, I support

SC 35 Mr. Martin Lee's amendment.

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