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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (October 25):
Question:
Regarding the regulation of disseminating on the Internet remarks advocating terrorist attacks or threatening public safety, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the existing legislation regulating such acts;
(b) whether the authorities will consider amending legislation to step up efforts to combat such acts; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) of the countries which currently have legislation prohibiting such acts, and whether the authorities know the number of persons convicted of breaching the relevant legislation in these countries over the past three years, as well as the nature of such cases?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) In general, legislation governing such acts as terrorist attacks and other unlawful behaviour also covers acts carried out with an intention of furthering such attacks and behaviour. Whether the dissemination of messages constitutes an act carried out with an intention of furthering such attacks and behaviour will obviously depend on the facts of the case.
(b) In view of (a), we do not consider it necessary to introduce new legislation in this area.
(c) We have not conducted any in-depth research into such legislation in other countries and the enforcement experience of such legislation.
Ends/Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:31
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