British government defends banned Hong Kong pro-independence political party
A controversial attempt to ban a pro-independence political party by the HK government is raising concerns
Chan Ho-tin, founder of the Hong Kong National Party was served papers on Tuesday about his party being a banned organisation. The government of the United Kingdom has voiced concerns about recent attempts by the Hong Kong government to ban a pro-independence political party.
This comes after Andy Chan Ho-tin, the founder of the Hong Kong National Party, was notified on Tuesday that the government had began procedures to ban his party from operating.
Police had earlier recommended that the government use powers under the Societies Ordinance to shut down the party, as they reportedly posed a risk to national security.
Hong Kong police wants to ban Hong Kong Nationalist Party
The party, which has about 50 members, was given 21 days by the government to provide a written explanation on why the party should not be banned.
A spokesman from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the British government was concerned about the issue. He added that the right to freedom of speech and freedom of association are included in the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.
“The United Kingdom does not support Hong Kong independence, but Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, and its rights and freedoms, are central to its way of life, and it is important they are fully respected,” the spokesman said.
According to Article Eight of the Societies Ordinance, the Secretary of Security has the power to ban certain organisations if they believe the group poses a risk to national security or public safety.
Chan revealed on Wednesday morning during a RTHK radio programme that police had handed him a 700-page document, which included transcripts of speeches at events he had attended.
“It proves again that Hong Kong people’s freedom of speech is not protected by law, and there’s no rule of law in Hong Kong,” he said on Wednesday.
Chan said that he was waiting for legal advice on how to proceed. He added that he could fight the ban in the future.