Published by World Tibet Network News - Monday, July 21, 1997HONG KONG, July 18, 1997 (UPI) _ Civil rights advocates are condemning new police guidelines banning demonstrations on national security grounds.
The guidelines issued today by the Special Administrative Region government restricts marches that challenge ``the territorial integrity'' of China, such as those advocating the independence of Hong Kong, Taiwan or Tibet.
A public order ordinance that went into effect July 1 restricts demonstrations to those that do not pose a threat to national security and that have police permission.
The government said the exact definition of national security will be drawn up by an elected Legislative Council.
The chairman of Human Rights Monitor, Paul Harris, said restricting peaceful demonstrations simply because they advocate independence is a breach of Hong Kong's Basic Law and the International Convenant on Civil Rights.
``The direct test for threats to national security should be whether there is an intention to overthrow or destabilize the government by force or threat of force. When you read these guildelines, there is nothing at all about (violence).''
Former legislator and attorney Margaret Ng called the policy ``a blatant contravention of the freedom of speech. I think it makes quite clear that certain things will not be allowed in the content of debate.''
Police Director of Operations Benny Ng emphasizes the new rules do not mean police will break up peaceful marches simply for advocating indepedence from China.
