****************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, in the Legislative Council today (October 31):
Question:
Regarding the defence against attacks involving the use of biochemical weapons and combating terrorists, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the procedures, according to the guidelines issued to various government departments, to be followed by departmental staff when they receive suspicious mails or parcels;
(b) whether the Administration is planning to introduce legislation to freeze the assets of terrorists in Hong Kong or crack down on terrorist activities; if so, of the details and the timetable for legislation; and
(c) whether public hospitals currently have enough stocks of medicines to cope with attacks involving the use of various types of biochemical weapons; if so, of the details, including the types of biochemical weapons that such medicines can cope with?
Reply:
(a) Hong Kong is a safe and secure city and is not traditionally a target of terrorist attack. So far, there is no intelligence to suggest that we will be subject to attack by terrorists using biological or other weapons. Nevertheless, we are vigilant and have stepped up security. We re-issued a set of guidelines to Government departments to advise staff on how to handle suspicious objects and parcels (including letters) on September 18, 2001. Specifically for the handling of items suspected to contain anthrax, the Post Office distributed a set of guidelines to all postal workers on October 16. A similar set of guidelines was subsequently issued to all Government departments and uploaded to the Cyber Central Government Offices and Security Bureau websites on October 19.
The guidelines contain suggested handling procedures. Some important points to note are outlined as follows -
* Do not panic or open any suspicious envelope or package;
* Handle with care the suspicious envelope or package in accordance with the guidelines to prevent leakage or dispersal of content;
* Turn off all the fans and air conditioning in the area, section off the area and then leave the room;
* Wash with soap and hot water if suspicious powder have stuck onto the body and report the incident immediately to supervisor, who will notify the Police;
* On Police arrival the situation will be assessed and decontamination and follow up medical treatment will be arranged as necessary.
These guidelines set out in detail the procedures for handling the scene where the suspicious object was found as well as matters which people who were in the area where the suspicious object was found and their supervisor should pay attention to. The guidelines are accessible on the Security Bureau website for general reference.
(b) The HKSARG has existing legislative provision to freeze assets of the terrorists in Hong Kong. In June 2000, under the instruction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (PRC), we made the United Nations Sanctions (Afghanistan) Regulation which gives effect to the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) No. 1267 in pursuance of the United Nations Sanctions Ordinance (Cap. 537). The Regulation provides, amongst others, for the freezing of funds and other financial resources owned or controlled by the Taliban or any enterprises held by the Taliban. In addition, we made the United Nations Sanctions (Afghanistan) (Arms Embargoes) Regulation pursuant to Chapter 537 on the instruction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 12, 2001. The Regulation gives effect to UNSCR No. 1333 and provides, amongst others, for the prohibition of making funds or financial resources available to Usama bin Laden or his associates.
The existing Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance (Cap. 525) provides for the enforcement of restraint orders and confiscation orders for assets made in foreign courts in respect of serious external offences i.e. offences entailing imprisonment of two years or more on conviction. Under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO) (Cap. 455), crimes related to terrorist activities, such as murder, kidnapping, etc., are specified offences. The powers of tracing, restraint and confiscation of assets available under OSCO are therefore applicable to those crimes. Chapter 455 and the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance (Cap. 405) also stipulate that money laundering is a serious crime. We are working towards strengthening the provisions on money laundering, reporting suspicious money laundering activities, freezing and confiscation of assets, etc. as stipulated in Chapters 455 and 405, thereby enhancing their effectiveness. The relevant recommendations have been incorporated into the Drug Trafficking and Organized Crimes Bill which is currently under the scrutiny of the Legislative Council.
As regards actions to combat terrorist activities, although terrorism is not a specified offence under our laws, there are provisions in our existing laws to deal with criminal activities that may be committed by terrorists, for example, kidnapping, murder, unlawful use of explosives causing injury to life and property etc. The Police have the power to arrest terrorists if they are suspected to be involved in crimes, and the Director of Immigration has the power to bar them from entry.
Earlier on, I have already mentioned that Hong Kong is able to provide international legal assistance under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance.
Many international conventions against terrorism already apply to Hong Kong (e.g. taking of hostages, hijacking of aircraft, unlawful acts of violence at airports, etc.) We have set in motion legislative procedures to implement the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings.
We have also received instruction from the Central People's Government to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373. This extensive resolution requires Member States to fight terrorism on various fronts. It includes the prevention and suppression of terrorist financing, criminalising direct, indirect and wilful provision or collection of funds for such actions, establishing terrorist acts as serious criminal offences in domestic laws with appropriate penalties and enhanced exchange of information and intelligence to fight terrorism. We are examining in consultation with our lawyers the necessary legislative measures to give effect to the various provisions of the Resolution. We expect to be able to draw up a legislative timetable soon.
(c) As part of the integrated strategy to counter the threat of radiological, biological and chemical attacks including the anthrax scare, the health sector has in place risk assessment mechanisms and contingency plans to handle emergencies in a co-ordinated and effective manner. These risk assessments and contingency plans are subject to review and revision in the light of the latest intelligence in relation to terrorism. An effective disease surveillance system involving hospitals and clinics in the public and private sectors is also in place to monitor infectious diseases, including anthrax. Public hospitals have adequate stock of antibiotics for treating probable biological agents such as anthrax and pneumonic plague. In fact, antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, penicillin, erythromycin and amoxicillin for treating anthrax are quite commonly used for treatment of other infectious diseases. There is also adequate supply of antidotes for treating chemical agents such as cyanide and nerve gas. During emergencies, the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health can, through their network with pharmaceutical suppliers and international agencies, ensure the adequate supply of drugs within short notice.
End/Wednesday, October 31, 2001
NNNN
