National security law: Hong Kong civil servants not allowed to join anti-government protests under new proposals, city minister warns
- Patrick Nip speaks on latest plans for employees which also require them to swear allegiance in writing and uphold Basic Law
- Proposed rules come nearly a year after government workers part of mass protest in support of civil unrest
Hong Kong’s civil servants will not be allowed to join anti-government protests under new requirements proposed for employees to swear allegiance to the city and uphold its mini-constitution, a minister has warned.
Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen also said authorities had “agreed in principle” that staff members of publicly funded institutions, including universities, schools and hospitals, should make similar pledges, under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on June 30.
Civil servants shall uphold political neutrality, meaning that they should support the administration and implement government policies
Article 6 of the new law states that Hong Kong residents standing for election or assuming “public office” shall confirm in writing or take an oath to uphold the Basic Law, and swear allegiance to “the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China”.
Nip was speaking in a Legislative Council panel meeting on Friday to explain the government’s latest proposals that required new and some serving civil servants to take vows, but he fell short of addressing concerns on the consequences of non-compliance or cases involving breach of the oaths.
The proposal unveiled on Wednesday stated that the city’s 180,000 civil servants would be required in writing to swear allegiance, with priority given to those employed from July 1, as well as those recommended for promotion or whose duties were deemed “crucial” or “sensitive”.
In the panel meeting, the minister told lawmakers that the requirements were necessary in view of “acts against the Hong Kong and central government” in the past. He warned against deeds and speeches that could be perceived as opposing the government.
“Civil servants shall uphold political neutrality, meaning that they should support the administration and implement government policies. Any participation in anti-government protests will surely go against [the new requirements],” Nip said.