Hong Kong Considers Banning Parliament and Independence Union Under National Security Law

Secretary for Security considers prohibiting operation of "Hong Kong Parliament" and "Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union" in Hong Kong

The Secretary for Security today (November 24), in considering whether to make orders under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) to prohibit the operation or continued operation of the "Hong Kong Parliament" and the "Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union" in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), has issued written notices to the two organizations respectively, allowing them to make representations before such orders are made.

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "Pursuant to section 60(1) of the SNSO, if the Secretary for Security reasonably believes that it is necessary for safeguarding national security to prohibit the operation or continued operation of an organization specified in subsection (3) of that section in the HKSAR, the Secretary for Security may, by order published in the Gazette, prohibit the operation or continued operation of the organization. Having carefully considered all relevant information, the Secretary for Security takes the preliminary view that there are reasonable grounds to believe that it would be necessary for safeguarding national security to prohibit the operation or continued operation of these two organizations in the HKSAR and, as such, allows the two organizations to make representations, in accordance with section 60(4) of the SNSO, before making a final decision.

The Security Bureau, Photo by Bastille Post

"The two organizations in question aim to subvert state power. Their objectives include promoting 'self-determination', making the 'Hong Kong Constitution', and overthrowing or undermining the basic system of the People's Republic of China established by the Constitution of the People's Republic of China or overthrowing the body of central power of the People's Republic of China or the body of power of the HKSAR.

"If the Secretary for Security finally decides to make orders to prohibit the operation or continued operation of the 'Hong Kong Parliament' and the 'Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union' in the HKSAR, the two organizations will become 'prohibited organizations'. Any person who engages in acts specified in sections 62 to 65 of the SNSO commits an offence, including acting as an officer-bearer or a member of a prohibited organization; participating in any activity or meeting of a prohibited organization; inciting any other person to become a member of a prohibited organization; and giving aid of any kind to or procuring any subscription or aid for a prohibited organization, and is liable upon conviction to a fine of HK$1,000,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.

"Endangering national security is a very serious offence. Such acts or activities may lead to extremely grave consequences. The Government of the HKSAR will, as always, resolutely, fully, and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law, the SNSO, and other relevant laws of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security to effectively prevent, suppress, and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, and prohibit the operation of organizations that engage in activities endangering national security in the HKSAR."

The Government of the HKSAR will, as always, resolutely, fully, and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law, the SNSO, and other relevant laws of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security, Photo source: reference image

Employers and employees should make reasonable work arrangements after tropical cyclones or rainstorms

The Labour Department (LD) today (June 8) reminded employers to make practical and reasonable work arrangements for employees after the cancellation of tropical cyclone warnings or rainstorm warnings, with due consideration to the road and traffic conditions and other factors, and make flexible arrangements for staff to resume work or work remotely (if applicable). This will help maintain good labour-management relations, and ensure the safety of employees as well as the smooth operation of organisations.

"For staff who have genuine difficulties in resuming work on time upon cancellation of a tropical cyclone or rainstorm warning, employers should be sympathetic and handle each case flexibly. For example, employers may allow employees to resume work in stages, permit employees who have difficulties in returning to workplaces to work remotely (if applicable) or allow more time for them to report for duty and resume work," an LD spokesman said.

The spokesman reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, Employees' Compensation Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance.

"As natural calamities cannot be avoided, for employees who are not able to report for duty or resume duty on time due to adverse weather or extreme conditions, employers should neither deduct their wages, good attendance bonus or allowances, nor reduce employees' entitlement to annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days under the Employment Ordinance, or ask for additional hours of work from employees to compensate for the loss of working hours when they are unable to report for duty," the spokesman said.

Employers should note that they have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. Moreover, under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for injuries or deaths incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residence to their workplace, or from their workplace back to their residence after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher, a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or extreme conditions are in force.

The LD has published the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'", which provides the major principles, reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation on making work arrangements for the reference of employers and employees. The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).

Source: AI-found images