The proposals to restrict civil rights must spell out that the curbs are necessary in a democratic society, a legal expert says. The condition, part of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, was missing from Tung Chee-hwa's proposals, said Albert Chen Hung-yee, Dean of Hong Kong University's Law Faculty. However, he had included conditions in the covenant which allow restrictions in the interests of national security, public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of rights and freedoms of others. Professor Chen, a Hong Kong affairs adviser to Beijing, said the 'democratic society' condition was important in determining if curbs should be imposed. 'It is to be hoped that when the bills implementing the proposals are drafted, the wording regarding 'necessary in a democratic society' will be incorporated.' He also said some proposals were unclear, warning that banning links with international political groups would hit many non-government organisations.
