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Rights group wants review of spy bill after a year

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The covert surveillance bill, which the government aims to fast-track to meet a court-imposed deadline, should be reviewed after a year because of the lack of public consultation, a rights group said.

Human Rights Monitor chairwoman Cyd Ho Sau-lan said the government could learn from Britain, which rushed to pass anti-terrorism laws after the September 11, 2001, attacks but also introduced a sunset clause in the legislation.

'The business sector, in particular, should voice their opinions about the legislation because it concerns them as well,' she said at a Civic Party forum.

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Ms Ho said the bill was complicated and similar to the Article 23 national security legislation which was shelved due to a lack of public support.

'What we need is a law that protects Hong Kong people's rights, not a legal procedure which permits the violation of people's rights,' she said.

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But Civic Party lawmaker Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee was not optimistic that the government would review the bill.

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