Security Bureau's statement: Members of public should not participate or advertise unauthorised assemblies

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A spokesman for the Security Bureau made a statement today (May 29) that the Police have prohibited and objected to a public meeting and procession to be held on May 30 and a public meeting to be held on June 4. The Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions has, after hearing, confirmed the Police's decisions. The relevant meetings and procession are unauthorised assemblies. No one should take part in it, or advertise or publicise it, or else he or she may violate the law.

According to section 17A of the Public Order Ordinance (Cap. 245), taking part in an unauthorised assembly is liable to a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment; advertising or publicising an unauthorised assembly is liable to a maximum penalty of 12 months' imprisonment. In addition, taking part in the events may be in breach of relevant offences under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) (i.e. Prohibition on Group Gathering).

The court's recent judgments in two cases relating to unauthorised assemblies (the public meetings and processions on August 18 and August 31, 2019) indicate that taking part in an unauthorised assembly, whether or not it involves violence, is in violation of the law. The persons concerned were eventually sentenced to imprisonment of varying terms.

The Security Bureau reminds the public that they should not take part, advertise or publicise any unauthorised assembly. If anyone attempts to challenge the law, including the Prohibition on Group Gathering, Public Order Ordinance, Hong Kong National Security Law, etc., the Police will deal with it seriously in accordance with the law.

Ends/Saturday, May 29, 2021
Issued at HKT 12:50

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