HK leader invokes emergency powers to ban face masks

HONG KONG (AFP) — Hong Kong’s leader announced a ban Friday on protesters wearing face masks, invoking colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in 52 years, in a bid to quell months of violent anti-government unrest.

Chief executive Carrie Lam said she had made the order under the Emergency Regulations Ordinances, a sweeping provision that grants her the ability to make any law during a time of emergency or public danger.

“We believe that the new law will create a deterrent effect against masked violent protesters and rioters, and will assist the police in its law enforcement,”

Lam said.

But she stressed her use of the powers did not mean the government had officially declared a state of emergency.

Before the announcement, thousands of masked protesters – many of them office workers – marched through the city’s commercial district on Friday, promising to defy the new law.

“Youngsters are risking their lives, they don’t mind being jailed for 10 years, so wearing masks is not a problem,” a 34-year-old office worker wearing a surgical mask, who gave her first name as Mary, told AFP at a protest on Friday afternoon.

Critics decried the move was a major step towards authoritarianism for Hong Kong, which has been governed by China under a “one country, two systems” framework since British colonial rule ended in 1997.

“This is a watershed. This is a Rubicon,” pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told AFP.

“And I’m worried this could be just a starter. More draconian bans in the name of law could be lurking around the corner.”

Prominent democracy activist Joshua Wong said the law “marks the beginning of the end of Hong Kong.”

“It is ironic that a colonial-era weapon is being used by the Hong Kong government and the Chinese Communist Party,” he told AFP.

Is ban enforceable?

The new law, which Lam said would take effect at midnight, threatens anyone wearing masks at legal and unsanctioned protests with up to one year in prison.

People can still wear masks in the street, but must remove them if asked to by police, with up to six months jail for those who refuse.

Exemptions are available for religious and medical reasons and for those who need masks to do their jobs – such as reporters using respirators to protect from tear gas.