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Why abuse of police in other countries carries harsher consequences than in Hong Kong
From the row over officers jailed for beating up a protester have come calls to criminalise insults against police. Such laws are not without precedent
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Insulting police could land you in prison in Singapore, Macau or parts of Europe. But it would probably get you nothing more than a dirty look in Hong Kong. At least for now.
The convictions of seven policemen last month for beating pro-democracy activist Ken Tsang Kin-chiu during the Occupy protests in 2014 has reignited a push to make insulting a police officer a crime. Proponents say police are already under pressure, and need more protection.
But others have warned the proposed law would exacerbate tensions, and could limit freedom of expression.
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The Security Bureau said it was not considering a law change, but two police unions have written to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying urging him to make insulting the police a crime.
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When the seven officers attacked Tsang, Hong Kong was already three weeks into the 79-day Occupy protests. With protesters challenging their authority, officers were at “breaking point”, a police source said. Shortly before the beating, Tsang poured liquid onto other police officers, which later got him convicted of assault.
Legislator and barrister Dr Priscilla Leung Mei-fun is one of the main proponents of a change. She believes if insulting the police got people fined, it would send a message that the behaviour was unacceptable, and would make it easier for police to do their job.
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