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In response to media enquiries concerning a non-governmental organisation's (NGO) plan to protest against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) during the Sixth Ministerial Conference (MC6) of the WTO, a Government spokesman said today (November 3) that the Administration valued highly the freedoms of expression and assembly of the general public and had put in place measures to facilitate public activities by civil society.
"We attach great importance to facilitating peaceful and lawful activities of NGOs, while ensuring public order, public safety and the smooth conduct of the MC6," the spokesman said.
To facilitate expression of views and other activities by civil society during the Conference period, the Government has reserved Victoria Park and the Southorn Playground as designated public activity areas for holding MC6-related public activities such as public discussion forums, cultural performances, and bazaars, etc.
To address the concerns of NGOs about the location for staging protests during the period, Wan Chai Sports Ground and Wan Chai Public Cargo Working Area in Wan Chai North have also been identified as possible designated public activity areas.
"We sincerely hope that the Government and NGOs can, through good communication and co-operation, achieve our common objective to conduct all demonstrations in a peaceful and orderly manner," the spokesman stressed.
Ends/Thursday, November 3, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:21
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