TNAG-1753-FCO40-2473-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 88

KOBANE

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0. FILM CENSORSHIP

1. The Need for Censorship

The Hong Kong Government need some powers which can be used in

extreme cases to control the exhibition of films.

The recent Film Censorship Ordinance provides that the censor

will take a number of matters into consideration in deciding whether

a film is suitable for exhibition, including whether there is a

likelihood that the exhibition of the film would seriously damage

good relations with other territories. This provision is necessary in the circumstances of Hong Kong. The Ordinance includes an

amendment put forward by the Hong Kong Government providing that

Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political

Rights (which deals with the principle of freedom of expression) is

to be taken into account by censors in deciding whether a film is

suitable for exhibition. The Hong Kong Government believe that

these concessions will meet most of the earlier objections to the

Bill.

2. Hong Kong's Previous Arrangements were not Lawful

The Hong Kong Government acted to put the vires of their film

censorship provisions (which had operated without legal challenge

for 30 years) beyond legal doubt.

3. Compatibility with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

I do not consider that the Film Censorship Bill is incompatible

with the United Kingdom's obligations under the International

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

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