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In response to media enquiries today (June 6) relating to the removal of unattended articles at the Central Government Offices (CGO), a government spokesman gives the following response:
"Following the public meetings held at the East Wing Forecourt of CGO and Legislative Council Square earlier, some articles were left unattended on the pavement of the East Wing Forecourt by individuals without the prior permission of the Administration. Some of the articles were even placed on the tactile guide path for the visually impaired. The individuals were verbally warned immediately by the staff of the Administration Wing but they ignored the warnings.
Since the articles have been left unattended on the pavement for some time and they are causing obstruction to the passageway, the Administration Wing, as the allocatee and lawful occupier of the East Wing Forecourt, cleared the materials after seeking legal advice. After the removal, the Administration Wing had posted up a notice at the area saying that the materials would be kept temporarily for seven days and would be subject to disposal afterwards if they are not claimed by the owner(s). At present, the materials are kept in the former Central Government Offices on Lower Albert Road and the owner(s) may contact the Administration Wing staff to arrange the collection of the materials at the above-mentioned location.
We would like to reaffirm that the Government respects the public's freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. According to the guidelines for holding public meetings at the East Wing Forecourt, it is the responsibility of public meeting holders to clean up the venue after use.
At present, established procedures are in place for the public to apply for the holding of public meetings and processions at the East Wing Forecourt on Sundays and public holidays. On working days, the area is used as a vehicular access and a pick-up/drop-off area as well as the main entrance of visitors to the CGO.
In addition, a section of pavement at Tim Mei Avenue outside the East Wing Forecourt is designated as the public activities area where the public may hold public meetings or submit petition letters to the Government at any time without having to seek prior approval from the Administration, subject to the compliance of the relevant provisions under the Public Order Ordinance governing the holding of public meetings/processions."
Ends/Friday, June 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 22:09
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