Wednesday, 04-Dec-2002

HONG KONG, Dec 4 (AFP) - An international human rights expert warned Hong Kong Wednesday that proposed anti-subversion laws threaten individual liberties and will have a "chilling effect" on the free flow of information in the city.

Doctor Frances D'Souza, who helped devise the Johannesburg Principle which is regarded as the standard for the protection of freedoms in the context of national security laws, expressed three main concerns about the controversial legislation.

"There is no question that this proposed legislation threatens individual liberties in a profound and sustained way," D'Souza, who is visiting the territory, told reporters.

"That cannot but have a highly detrimental effect on Hong Kong as a society. "

"The second reason is that history demonstrates that if you have a law on the statute books which is repressive, even though it is not used, the fact that it exists in the statute book exercises a chilling effect on the free flow of information.

"The third reason why we should be deeply concerned is because once you institute a law like this... little freedoms are restricted here and there and it is the beginning of something much bigger," she warned.

Under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the territory's mini-constitution, Hong Kong is obliged to pass laws banning treason, sedition, subversion and theft of state secrets.

Human-rights and pro-democracy groups fear that China could use the new law to suppress freedoms including those of media, speech and religion, as well as to ban groups it considers a threat.

The government has issued only a vague outline of the laws so far and many groups, as well as the United States, have urged the territory to release a white paper providing all the details.

The legislation -- which opponents say is being rammed through at China's behest -- is due to be enacted after a three-month consultation exercise ends December 24.

http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/aq/Qhongkong-subversion.Rd___CD4.html