The Rt Hon Paddy Ashdown MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A OAA
Thank you for your letter
etter of 29 June about the prosecution of certain individuals in Hong Kong under the Summary Offences Ordinance..
know
As you will appreciate, these matters are
sub judice, pending further court hearings, and for this reason I cannot comment on the particular circumstances of the specific cases/you quote.
Br
I would, however, like to make the general point that in Hong Kong legislation governing the use of
loudspeakers and/on the collection of money in public are
prudent and reasonable measures for the protection of the public. They are in no way inconsistent with the
protection of the high degree of freedom within the law which Hong Kong people enjoy and will continue to enjoy; and I would not accept that restrictions of this kind are
inconsistent with the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the/ Hong Kong Bill is intended to implement.
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BOWABQ
Margaret Thatcher
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.