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Hong Kong govt to defer passage of Security Law
Hong Kong, July 07: Hong Kong`s government succumbed to mounting pressure today and announced it would delay a controversial security bill expected to be enacted this week amid fears it will curb basic rights.
Hong Kong, July 07: Hong Kong's government succumbed to mounting pressure today and announced it would delay a controversial security bill expected to be enacted
this week amid fears it will curb basic rights.
Around 500,000 people marched against the proposed law on Tuesday in Hong Kong's biggest demonstration in more than a decade, as calls mounted for a delay in its passage to allow for further consultation.
Late yesterday the leader of the pro-government Liberal Party, James Tien, resigned from chief executive Tung Chee-Hwa's cabinet as his party demanded a deferral of the bill's final reading on Wednesday, when it was expected to be passed. Tien's resignation prompted an emergency cabinet meeting after which Tung announced the delay.
"In light of the position of the Liberal Party, we have decided, after detailed deliberations, to defer the resumption of the second reading of the bill and to step up our efforts to explain the amendments to the community in the coming days," he said in a statement early today.
The embattled chief executive on Saturday announced three major concessions to concerns about the bill but insisted it would be enacted on Wednesday as scheduled. The law had been expected to pass comfortably, with pro-government lawmakers forming a majority in the 60-member legislative council -- the city's lawmaking body.
Bureau Report
Late yesterday the leader of the pro-government Liberal Party, James Tien, resigned from chief executive Tung Chee-Hwa's cabinet as his party demanded a deferral of the bill's final reading on Wednesday, when it was expected to be passed. Tien's resignation prompted an emergency cabinet meeting after which Tung announced the delay.
"In light of the position of the Liberal Party, we have decided, after detailed deliberations, to defer the resumption of the second reading of the bill and to step up our efforts to explain the amendments to the community in the coming days," he said in a statement early today.
The embattled chief executive on Saturday announced three major concessions to concerns about the bill but insisted it would be enacted on Wednesday as scheduled. The law had been expected to pass comfortably, with pro-government lawmakers forming a majority in the 60-member legislative council -- the city's lawmaking body.
Bureau Report