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March 2012

Anti-Stalking Law threaten freedom of press in Hong Kong

2012-03-01 - michelle
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Caption: Shall Hong Kongers enjoy freedom of assembly if the anti-stalking law is passed?

After Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr Tsang took office, his tough measures against the demonstrators have raised social concerns about the anti-stalking legislation. Law Reform Commission (hereinafter referred to as "LRC") published "anti-stalking" consultation document on 19 December last year which is called "The press 23" by the society. According to the document, stalking "may be described as a series of acts directed at a specific person which, taken together over a period of time, causes him to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed”. These acts might not be objectionable but, when combined over a period of time, interfered with the privacy and family life of the victim, and causing him distress, alarm or ever serious impairment of his physical or psychological well being. These acts may cause annoying or panic but still lawful at the beginning act, evolve into a dangerous, violent or likely to cause others to death. If a person ought to have known a course of conduct which amounted to harassment of the other, he should be guilty of a criminal offense. A maximum penalty would be a fine of $ 100,000 and imprisonment for two years, and with civil liability. The victim would be able to claim damages for any distress, anxiety and financial loss resulting from the pursuit and apply for an injunction to prohibit the stalker from doing anything which causes him alarm or distress.

Hong Kong Lawyer critique on Anti-Stalking Law (1)

2012-03-12 - Kenny
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Stalking law may threaten Hong Kong freedom of press and assembly.

[Editor: The Hong Kong government is consulting the public on stalking. Journalists and activists are worried that their right of reporting and demonstration will be threatened. Chong Yiu-kwong, a Hong Kong lawyer, wrote articles to express view on this issue.]

Chinese original text Apple daily (27.2.2012)

The government is consulting the public on stalking. There have been a number of abuses in Britain after stalking was legislated. In 2007, Npower, a British energy company accused demonstrators for harassing their staff and applied for a restraining order according to anti-stalking acts in order to get rid of demonstrators and stop journalists from reporting. An exemption was granted after 3 months of legal process. Articles in The Guardian pointed out that the British anti-stalking acts had been used to suppress demonstrations. In 2001, a group of demonstrators who protested at a US military intelligence agency were prosecuted under the anti-staling acts as American staff felt harassed by the slogan “George W Bush? Oh dear!” written on the signboard held up by demonstrators. In 2004, a woman sent an email to the administration staff of a medicine company twice, urging them to stop using animals for experiments. Despite her politeness she was arrested. Laws in Hong Kong are greatly influenced by cases in Britain, abuses as such would easily happen frequently if stalking is legislated.

Hong Kong Lawyer critique on Anti-Stalking Law (2)

2012-03-12 - Kenny
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If stalking law was passed, Hong Kong journalist may no longer took their pictures at Henry Tang’s mansion in this way (Picture from)

[Note: The Hong Kong government is consulting the public on stalking. Journalists and activists are worried that their right of reporting and demonstration will be threatened. Chong Yiu-kwong, a Hong Kong lawyer, wrote articles to express view on this issue.]

Chinese original text:Ming Pao (25.2.2012)

Would the magnificent view of derrick cars lining up outside Henry Tang’s (Hong Kong former Financial Secretary, current candidate of Chief Executive election 2012) mansion still appear after stalking is legislated? Whoever from the pro-government camp win the election would very likely push for this regulation that shelter the powerful and the rich.

Bear Bile Industry – Chinese National Theft!

2012-03-21 - damon

Translated by Catherine

Here’s what our say for the bears:

1. Eliminating bear bile industry means eradication of Chinese national industry.
IT’S A LIE! Bear bile industry has only 30 years of history in China. It has no match compared with that of tea and silk. Conversely, bears are trapped lifetime in small rusty cages. They are ducted without anesthesia. China is notorious for the ways it treats animals; only by eradication of such brutal industry will the respect of the nation be retained. Bear bile industry is no more than theft. It’s a crime!