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The answer from the Education Secretary in the LegCo, in full: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202007/08/P2020070800306.htm https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/gene
by heraclius 6y ago
The answer from the Education Secretary in the LegCo, in full: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202007/08/P2020070800306.htm https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202007/08/P2020070800306...
The obvious flaw in the answer given is that he goes from ‘such right [para 1, art. 13 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child] is not absolute’ given para 2’s provisions to a seemingly disproportionate restriction of all political activity (‘no one…should…hold any activities to express their political stance’).
Notably, para 2 of art. 13 requires that ‘the exercise of this right…shall only be [restricted where it is necessary]…(a) for respect of the rights and reputations of others; or (b) for the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health and morals.’ This does not to me seem to encompass a blanket ban, e.g., of advocacy of universal suffrage (the stated aim of the Basic Law), or an alteration of the tax rate, or public subsidy for the beautification of local streetscapes by artists, or a change in the timing of a traffic light.