Human rights activists yesterday warned changes to the Societies and Public Order ordinances would mark 'an end to civil liberties' if they became law. They called on the Chief Executive-designate, Tung Chee-hwa, to explain to Beijing the potential harm. In a 14-page paper released yesterday, Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor condemned the amendments as badly thought-out and claimed the change would create social disorder. 'Under the proposed amendments, the police need not reply until 48 hours before the demonstrations and there may not be enough time for large-scale demonstrations to prepare,' chairman Paul Harris said. 'If they are badly organised, there is a greater chance of disorder and criminal elements.' Mr Harris said a legal vacuum would not exist because the two ordinances did not contravene the Basic Law. 'Even the Chief Executive's Office admitted during our last meeting that they were unable to identify any breach of the Basic Law in the two ordinances,' he said. 'Under the common-law system, a decision which is irrational is a nullity. The National People's Congress' declarations to disallow the ordinances are invalid.' The group's director, Law Yuk-kai, said Mr Tung's office was also unable to justify its claims that donations would threaten national security. He said existing law already provided enough checks on demonstrations and organisations. There had not been a dispute between the police and demonstrators since the amendment of the Public Order Ordinance in 1995. Mr Law said they would try to arrange a meeting with Secretary of Justice-designate Elsie Leung Oi-sie before tomorrow when consultation closes.
