World Courant
A Hong Kong courtroom will hand down a closely-watched resolution over whether or not to ban the printed and distribution of “Glory to Hong Kong,” a protest music after the federal government requested it to take action within the title of nationwide safety.
The music was written through the 2019 anti-government protests and its lyrics name for democracy and liberty. Nevertheless it has been mistakenly performed at a number of worldwide sporting occasions as an alternative of China’s nationwide anthem, “March of the Volunteers.” The choice is predicted subsequent Friday.
Critics fear a ban will additional shrink town’s freedom of expression, which has turn into more and more threadbare below Beijing’s crackdown on town’s pro-democracy motion — and pose challenges to the operations of tech giants.
HONG KONG SEEKS TO BAN PROTEST SONG ‘GLORY TO HONG KONG’
Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese language rule in 1997 and was promised it may maintain its Western-style civil liberties intact for 50 years after the handover. However the openness and freedoms that have been as soon as hallmarks of town have been eroding following the enactment of a Beijing-imposed nationwide safety legislation and different political modifications.
Final month, the federal government sought an injunction to focus on anybody who makes use of the music to advocate for the separation of Hong Kong from China. It additionally wished to ban actions that use the music to incite others to commit secession and to insult the nationwide anthem, together with such acts carried out on-line.
Law enforcement officials stand guard outdoors the Excessive Courtroom forward of a listening to over the printed of 2019 protest music “Glory to Hong Kong” on July 21, 2023. (AP Photograph/Louise Delmotte)
Throughout a listening to Friday, Choose Anthony Chan heard arguments surrounding the potential ban, together with the utility of the order, earlier than reserving his judgement till subsequent week.
Benjamin Yu, a lawyer who represented the federal government, highlighted the nationwide safety dangers the music may set off and instructed an order in favor of the federal government would make a cloth distinction.
He pointed to the effectiveness of the injunction orders handed down to forestall protesters to disrupt the operations of the airport and railway community on the peak of the 2019 motion.
HONG KONG SEEKS TO BAN PROTEST SONG ‘GLORY TO HONG KONG’
However lawyer Abraham Chan, who offered arguments to help the courtroom however not representing anybody within the case, mentioned the nationwide safety legislation already existed, questioning why a civil order would work extra successfully. Imposing the ban might be probably counter-productive, he added.
The Hong Kong Journalists Affiliation on Tuesday mentioned the federal government agreed to not cowl any lawful journalistic actions in relation to the music below its proposed ban after accepting the affiliation’s suggestion.
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The Hong Kong authorities has tried to push Google to show China’s nationwide anthem as the highest end in searches for town’s anthem — as an alternative of the music — however to no avail.
Google informed the federal government to current a courtroom order proving the music violated native legal guidelines earlier than it might be eliminated, in line with Secretary for Innovation, Expertise and Business Solar Dong. The federal government subsequently determined to cope with the matter by authorized means, he mentioned in an interview with an area broadcaster. Google didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Hong Kong courtroom to determine whether or not to ban broadcast of widespread protest music at Beijing’s request
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