Police propose ban on local separatist group
SAR govt obligated to safeguard national security, secretary says
Hong Kong police have proposed banning the operation of the Hong Kong National Party, a local pro-independence group, in accordance with the Societies Ordinance, the special administrative region’s security chief said on Tuesday.
The Hong Kong National Party has 21 days to submit written representations explaining why such a ban is unnecessary, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said in a news briefing.
Lee said he will not make a decision before he either receives the group’s written reply or Aug 7.
The move came after Lee received a recommendation from an assistant societies officer of the police, he said.
It is widely viewed as an unprecedented step by law enforcement authorities to crack down on separatist moves, which officials said have divided Hong Kong with radical activism promoting “independence” or “self-determination”.
Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China, according to Article 1 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR.
People enjoy freedom of association in Hong Kong, but such freedom is not limitless and should be exercised within the laws. Any act that harms the country’s national sovereignty and security interests crosses the line, he told reporters. Lee added that the SAR government is obligated to safeguard national security.
Founded in 2016, the Hong Kong National Party claims to uphold “a self-reliant nation” and an “independent Hong Kong” as its goal.
Its convener, Andy Chan Ho-tin, said in a post on the group’s social media page on
Tuesday that the police move curbs the “Hong Kong national and independent movement”. He also called for support for “any cause and act that damages the interests of China”.
Chan has been active recruiting members and gathering support for the party. He distributed pro-independence flyers targeting secondary school students near their campuses, organized rallies and attended numerous activities together with other separatist groups in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Citing Section 8 of the Socie- ties Ordinance, Lee said the societies officer may recommend the secretary for security order prohibition of an organization’s operation if he reasonably believes it is necessary in the interests of national security, public safety, public order or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
The role of the societies officer is assumed by the police commissioner in Hong Kong, who reports to the security secretary.
This is the first time Hong Kong police have enforced Section 8 of the Societies Ordinance since the city returned to the motherland in 1997, Lee said.
The move received wide support in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions said the Hong Kong National Party is notorious for advocacy and activities violating the Constitution and the Hong Kong SAR Basic Law, as well as against the “one country, two systems” principle and overall interests of Hong Kong people.
According to Section 19 of the Societies Ordinance, any office-bearer or person managing or helping manage any unlawful society can face up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to HK$100,000.