Media groups object to HK anti-subversion laws
HONG KONG, (AFP) - A coalition of local and foreign media groups voiced their concerns Sunday, 24 November that Hong Kong's planned anti-subversion laws would severely restrict free expression here.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association released a petition signed by 879 local journalists demanding the government scrap the harshest measures in the planned laws.
They warned the controversial laws would make a "crime out of free speech".
Under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the territory's post-1997 mini-constitution, Hong Kong is obliged to pass laws banning treason, sedition, subversion and theft of state secrets.
However there is no timeline on when Hong Kong has to introduce these laws and many groups have expressed fears China is pushing the territory to ram them through so it can suppress the media, free speech and religion.
In their statement on Sunday, the press groups also said they had secured the support of 26 foreign media and human rights organisations in objecting to the laws.
"It is highly unusual for such a cross-section of free-speech advocates from all over the world to speak out against a legislative proposal in one jurisdiction," Hong Kong Journalists Assocation chairperson Mak Yin-ting said.
"We urge the government to take their views into account or risk jeopardising Hong Kong's status as an international media centre."
Sunday's statement echoed concerns issued by a wide range of governments, media groups and human rights advocates over the past few weeks.
The United States joined the list last week, saying it was seriously concerned about the proposed laws and urging Hong Kong to maintain its "predictable, transparent and fair" system of government.
The Hong Kong government has issued only a vague outline of the laws so far and many media groups, as well as the United States, have urged the territory to release a white paper providing all the details.