Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee yesterday accused a leading academic of threatening the Government after he labelled it as 'fascist' over the controversial protest law.
Stephen Sze Man-hung, a senior lecturer at the Polytechnic University's general education centre, said retaining the 'evil' Public Order Ordinance would lead to civil disobedience.
Mr Sze was speaking at a special meeting of the Legco security panel attended by more than 20 organisations represented by academics, students, unionists and rural residents.
The Government is to introduce a motion debate in the Legislative Council next Wednesday after a series of protests were staged throughout the year by demonstrators calling for the law to be amended. Opponents say the ordinance, which requires demonstrators to notify police seven days in advance for assemblies of more than 50 people and marches of more than 30, restricts the right of peaceful assembly. The Government insists the provision be left unchanged.
Mrs Ip accused Mr Sze of threatening the Government by inciting civil disobedience, which he said would result from retention of the ordinance.
'Why is he so sure? Is it because he has participated in or even led civil disobedience? Again and again he asked me to consider the issue of civil disobedience. Is he using it as a tool to threaten the Government?' she asked.
Mrs Ip asked who would take responsibility if some people resorted to civil disobedience and were convicted after having listened to Mr Sze.
