HONG KONG, Feb 21 (AFP) - The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday warned that a proposed anti-subversion law poses a grave threat to freedom of expression in Hong Kong.
In a memorandum to the Hong Kong Security Bureau, the committee expressed serious concerns about the National Security (Legislative Provision) Bill, saying "in its current form, this bill poses a grave threat to freedom of expression" in the territory.
The controversial bill goes before Hong Kong's Legislative Council on February 26, albeit in a watered down form from its original draft following protests during a three-month consultation that ended on December 24.
Under Article 23 of the Basic Law -- the mini-constitution that came into force when sovereignty of the former British colony reverted to China in 1997 -- Hong Kong is obliged to pass laws banning treason, sedition, subversion and the theft of state secrets.
The issue is an emotive one, prompting mass demonstrations in December both for and against the laws.
The Hong Kong government has reiterated pledges that fundamental rights and freedoms in the territory would continue to be guaranteed despite the legislation.
But CPJ acting president Joel Simon nontheless called on legislators to revise the bill so that "it does not unduly restrict Hong Kong citizens' right to free expression."
"The Hong Kong government invited public comment on this legislation, only to disregard many of the substantive concerns raised about its potential to restrict press freedom and other civil liberties in the territory," he said.
Human rights and pro-democracy groups fear that China could use the new law to suppress freedoms including those of media, speech and religion, as well as to ban groups it considers a threat.
Bishop Joseph Zen, the head of Hong Kong's Catholics, also said on Monday the bill was "very bad" as it strengthened links with mainland China.
"Supposing tomorrow in China they say the underground Catholic Church is dangerous to state security ... maybe some bishops there put me as (their) vice president ... then we are to be proscribed as well," Zen said.
http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/cn/Qhongkong-subversion.R36a_DFL.html
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