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Toronto Star: 50,000 take to Hong Kong streets Protesters call security plans 'this evil law;' Fear of restricted press freedom touches nerve Martin Regg Cohn 12/16/2002 The Toronto Star Ontario Page A17 In one of the biggest demonstrations since this territory came under Chinese
sovereignty, tens of thousands of protesters marched in the streets here
yesterday to condemn controversial national security legislation. Chanting slogans against "this evil law," singing religious hymns, and
carrying black balloons to symbolize mourning, organizers estimated as many
as 50,000 people turned out to protest proposed treason and secession laws.
The demonstration came on the heels of a major public opinion survey
released Friday showing a sharp increase in public fears that freedom of the
press and other civic rights could be imperilled by the sweeping legislation
demanded by Beijing. The protest, up to six kilometres long, snaked through the streets of Hong
Kong, prompting police to issue formal warnings to organizers because the
crowd had far exceeded the initial estimate of 5,000 people when they
applied for a permit. [...]
Protesters were not reassured yesterday. "This evil law will embroil Hong
Kong, heaven and earth forbid," they chanted in a show of solidarity that
attracted representatives from dozens of local groups including the Roman
Catholic Church, the Falun Gong spiritual movement, trade unions and local
journalists. They called for a detailed "White Paper" outlining the specific wording of
the government's proposals. So far, Hong Kong has issued a vague
Consultation Document announcing its plan for new laws on treason,
subversion, sedition, secession, theft of secrets and banned organizations.
"This is a very clear voice," protest organizer Rose Wu said. "How can they
ignore this voice? How can they still turn away?" [...] But the government has been caught off guard by the breadth of opposition,
which has come not only from street protests but loud complaints from the
business and religious establishment. The British and American chambers of
commerce have also issued critiques. Another controversial proposal is to prosecute journalists for theft if they
refuse to reveal their sources after "unauthorized disclosure of protected
information." The plan has prompted warnings that any restrictions on the free flow of
information could spark an exodus of media from Hong Kong, and discourage
the big banks and other businesses from maintaining offices here. China has more journalists locked up than any other country, and memories
are still vivid of the mainland's 1993 jailing of a Hong Kong journalist who
speculated on an interest rate hike. Fears about restricted information
flows have touched a nerve with the financial sector, which depends on
access to unbiased data. "Banking in Hong Kong would be affected if press freedom is restrained,"
said David Li, the banking representative in the legislative council. "If
the media cannot fully and fearlessly reflect news and views truthfully, the
information is useless. Press freedom is what gives us a comparative
advantage over Singapore." The Hong Kong Bar Association weighed in last week with a stinging criticism
of the treason proposals and urged the government to publish a "White Paper"
with precise wording to permit an open debate.
Posting date: 12/17/2002 |