|
On
September 19, 2002, HKCTU joined several human rights
NGOs and community organisations in a protest action
opposing proposed legislation on sedition and subversion
against the central government in Beijing. Based on
provisions in Article 23 of the Basic Law (Hong Kong's
constitution), the new law on sedition and subversion
will criminalise dissent in the territory, targeting
those who criticise the central government in Beijing.
This raises fears that activists in Hong Kong can be
charged with “subversion” in the same way that “subversion”
is used in mainland China to imprison human rights,
religious, pro-democracy and labour activists. Article
23 also imposes restrictions on the activities of NGOs
and their connections to foreign organisations. The
law also threatens to undermine the freedom of the press.
|
