TNAG-2865-FCO40-4119-Hong-Kong-Public-Order-Amendment-Bill-1993-1993 — Page 70

Summary of the Existing Provisions and

the Proposed Changes to Part III of the Public Order Ordinance, Cap 245

Annex B

S/N Item

1. Public meetings

in the open

2. Public meetings

in private premises

3. Public

processions

4. Notification of

public meetings/ processions

5. Prohibition and

time limit (public meetings/ processions)

Present Law

A meeting of more than 30 persons has to be notified to CP.

(Section 7 (2) (a)}

A meeting of more than 200 persons, or exceeding the capacity of the premises, has to be notified to CP. (Section 7 (2) (b))

Processions of more than 20 persons have to be licensed.

(Sections 13(1)(a) and 13(2)(b))

Notification of a public meeting has to be sent to CP not less than seven days (excluding Sundays and general holidays) in advance. Licence for a public procession has to be applied for seven days in advance.

CP can prohibit a notified meeting within 4 days

(excluding Sundays and general holidays) after notification of meeting; or up to 24 hours before a meeting for which less than 7 days' notice is accepted.

(Section 9)

CP can cancel at any time the licence for a public procession on certain grounds.

(Section 14)

Proposed Changes

The 30-person threshold raised to 50 persons.

than Meetings of not more 500 persons need not be notified to CP.

A notification system to replace the licensing system; processions of not more than 30 persons need not be notified.

Both public meetings and public processions will be subject to a unified notification system under which notice has to be submitted to the Police on the same day of the week i: the preceding week as the day of the event itself.

CP may prohibit the holding of a notified meeting/procession only up to 48 hours before the event, on the grounds of public safety, public orde: the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights a: freedoms of others.