Govt responds to procession

September 6, 2020

The Government today strongly condemned unlawful and selfish acts during unauthorised assemblies in various Kowloon districts.

 

It said that a large number of people ignored Police advice and participated in unauthorised assemblies today. They blocked roads with barricades, threw hard objects at police officers and chanted slogans connoting Hong Kong independence.

 

In its response, the Government noted that participating in unlawful assemblies may breach the Public Order Ordinance and the Prevention & Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation, while acts advocating Hong Kong independence may also breach the National Security Law.

 

Police discharged their rightful duties today and took prompt and decisive action to apprehend the offenders.

 

Regarding views on the National Security Law, the Government said that safeguarding national security by way of legislation is in line with international practice.

 

The enactment of the National Security Law is constitutional, lawful, rational and reasonable, which ensures the resolute, full and faithful implementation of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy.

 

The law only targets four types of acts and activities that endanger national security. The vast majority of law-abiding residents in Hong Kong, as well as the rights legitimately exercised by them will not be affected.

 

The Government pointed out that in the two months following the National Security Law's enactment, the stability of society has been restored and members of the public no longer live in terror.

 

As for the Legislative Council General Election, the Government said it is reasonable and in the public interest to postpone it for a year, given that the epidemic is likely to last for a while and preparation work and the voter registration exercise will take months before an election can be held.

 

It also reiterated that the Hong Kong Health Code system was developed to facilitate people crossing the boundary so as to gradually restore livelihood and economic activities.

 

The system does not have any tracking function and fully complies with the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Application of the code is voluntary.

 

The Government noted the COVID-19 outbreak has not yet stabilised, adding that the prime goal now is to stay united and focus resources to fight the virus.

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