Hong Kong protesters face terror laws threat

HONG Kong’s leader yesterday refused to rule out using new security laws to charge pro-democracy protesters for demonstrations that took place last year.

The former British colony’s chief executive Carrie Lam said the regulations were needed to prevent terrorist activities.

But she repeatedly declined to say if they could be applied retrospectively. Critics fear they could be used against more than one million protesters in the territory.

Miss Lam insisted the laws would not erode freedoms granted in the 1997 handover to China.

She added: ‘If we want to protect the majority of people and a small minority are going to breach the law to participate in terrorist activities then of course we have to have the legislation.’

Britain has voiced concerns about the new laws, which are expected to be voted in tomorrow. Downing Street said it was ‘deeply concerned’ by events in Hong Kong and the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We are fully committed to upholding Hong Kong’s autonomy and respecting the one country, two systems model.’ And the US Chamber of Commerce said it would be ‘a serious mistake’ to jeopardize Hong Kong’s special status, which is fundamental to its role as an attractive investment destination and financial hub.

Meanwhile, watchdog Ofcom has ruled China’s state broadcaster broke impartiality rules covering last year’s protests on its English language channel, saying it did not represent the demonstrators’ views.

The broadcaster, which has been accused of being a propaganda mouthpiece for the ruling Communist party, could face a fine.