December 11, 2002
(Clearwisdom.net) HONG KONG, Dec 10 (AFP) - Hong Kong said Wednesday it was studying media organisations' proposed amendments to planned anti-subversion laws as protesters demonstrated outside the Legislative Council.
Speaking during a session in the lawmaking body, Security Secretary Regina Ip said drafting of the proposed laws, which have attracted wide criticism, had not yet started but authorities had begun preparatory work.
This included reviewing 3,000 replies from the public, including amendments suggested by local media organisations who are concerned the proposed legislation would restrict the freedom of journalists here.
"Since all the views and comments submitted during the public consultation period will be taken into account, we have not issued nor finalised any drafting instructions at this stage," said Ip.
It was hoped the analysis of submissions could be completed by end-January so the bill could be submitted to the Legislative Council in February, she added.
Meanwhile, around 100 supporters and opponents of the controversial laws faced off on opposite sides of a walkway outside the Legislative Council, waving banners and exchanging cries of support and condemnation.
Minor scuffles broke out at as supporters of the legislation, slammed by critics as draconian, attempted to wrest away a banner being waved by some protesters denouncing the proposed laws.
Article 23 of the Basic Law, the mini-constitution of the former British colony since it reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, obliges Hong Kong to pass laws banning treason, sedition, subversion and theft of state secrets.
But there has been an outpouring of concern that the proposed new laws could curtail freedoms in the territory.
Human rights and press groups Tuesday condemned the planned legislation, charging it would jeopardise fundamental freedoms in the territory.
The government has only issued only a vague outline of the laws and many groups have urged the territory to release a white paper providing all the details.
The legislation is due to be enacted after a three-month consultation exercise ends December 24.
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