Anti-mask law for protesters would be tough to enforce in streets and courtrooms, Hong Kong police and legal experts say
- Government expected to push through legislation under a colonial-era emergency law on Friday
- One police inspector says it will ‘unnecessarily stir up more trouble’ and law professor wonders if it constitutes inhumane treatment
An anti-mask law meant to deter anti-government protesters would be difficult to enforce in the streets and could be challenged in the courts as a rights violation, police officials and legal experts have told the Post.
The Hong Kong government is expected to push through legislation under a colonial-era emergency law on Friday, banning people from wearing masks at protests or public gatherings.
“Right now, only when we arrest protesters will they remove, or be forced to remove, their masks,” said the inspector who requested anonymity. “But if the law is passed, a protester wearing a mask will be seen as provoking the police and asking for trouble. This will definitely cause more conflict.”
Another inspector said protesters would strive to find exemptions from the ban.
“What if the guy says he wears a mask because has a cold and shows us a doctor’s certificate? We’ll have to give him reasonable doubt, and it will take a lot of time and energy to find out if he is really ill or not,” the inspector said.