HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong on Tuesday kick-started a process which could lead to a ban on a group that promotes secession from China, the first time since the former British colony’s return to Chinese rule in 1997 it has sought to outlaw a political organisation.
FILE PHOTO - Pro-Hong Kong independence supporters take part in a march in Hong Kong, China, July 1, 2018, the day marking the 21st anniversary of the city's handover to Chinese sovereignty from British rule. REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo
The move against the Hong Kong National Party comes at a time authorities have ratcheted up pressure on young democracy activists, some of whom have been jailed, and denounced any pro-independence action as an illegal challenge to Communist Party rulers in Beijing
The Security Bureau wrote a letter to the founder of the party, Andy Chan, telling him he had 21 days to “make representations in writing” as to why it should not be banned, according to the party’s social media page, which posted photos of the letter.
Secretary for Security John Lee said he had not banned the group and that he could only do so after giving it time to submit its response.
“Yes, in Hong Kong we have freedom of association, but that right is not without restriction,” Lee told reporters.
FILE PHOTO - Hong Kong National Party convenor Andy Chan attends a rally at a university, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the territory's handover to Chinese rule, in Hong Kong, China June 30, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo
Hong Kong is governed under a “one country, two systems” principle which promises it a high degree of autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed in China, such as the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.
But China’s perceived tightening grip over the financial hub has stoked tensions including the “Occupy Central” movement in 2014 that blocked major roads for nearly three months in a failed bid to pressure Beijing to allow full democracy.
FILE PHOTO - Pro-independence Hong Kong National Party convenor Andy Chan Ho-tin attends a rally in support of independence in Hong Kong, China August 5, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo
Lee wouldn’t give details about what the group had done to trigger a possible ban, though he cited Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance that states a group could be outlawed “in the interests of national security or public safety, public order or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others”.
“National security” is specifically defined as “the safeguarding of the territorial integrity and the independence of the People’s Republic of China”.
The Hong Kong National Party is one of a handful groups that openly advocate Hong Kong independence.
Founded in 2016, it drew at least 2,500 people to what was dubbed Hong Kong’s first pro-independence rally two years ago.
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