SCMP: Regina Ip slugs it out with critics at rowdy forum

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10/16/2002

Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee was drawn into a [heated discussion] yesterday at a forum on the proposed anti-subversion law, during which she endured a 90-minute barrage of criticism.

However, at the forum organised by the University of Hong Kong's student's union, Mrs Ip maintained that freedom would be protected in the proposed law under Article 23 of the Basic Law.

[..]
Mrs Ip said the proposal to ban acts of treason, subversion and sedition would not affect people's freedom and human rights.

However, her comments and those of Mr Leung, who supports the proposal, quickly became the target of other speakers. Mr Wong said the law would lead to mainland standards being introduced.

[..]
Among the floor speakers were members of the Falun Gong [group], veteran activists Lui Yuk-lin and Anthony Chua Chi-hing, who displayed a mock national flag. Their comments received repeated applause from the 400 students at the forum.

Mrs Ip, [..] maintained the government's stance that no "white bill" would be issued.

Meanwhile, heads of libraries in the SAR's eight higher education institutes have made a joint petition to the Security Bureau against enacting the law.

They fear materials among their collections could be deemed subversive and lead to curbs on academic freedom.

Mrs Ip dismissed fears the planned subversion law would affect library operations.

[..]
Another vice-chairman, Pang Hang-yin, however, warned of possible abuse of power if it was easy for police to break into homes to arrest suspects.

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