Carrie Lam says government will revisit guidelines on use of ‘Civic Square’ following High Court ruling of restrictions being unconstitutional
- The forecourt, in front of government headquarters, has been a popular location for protests, including one which saw the jailing of three activists
- Lam’s predecessor, Leung Chun-ying, had ordered the area sealed off shortly before the Occupy protests in September 2014
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, speaking before the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday morning, said she respected the ruling and the relevant departments, together with the Department of Justice, would study the judgment carefully and decide what step to take next.
“I have already asked the director of administration to revisit those guidelines and mechanisms to see, in light of the experiences last year, whether we can change or relax some of the requirements,” Lam said.
The chief executive stressed that it was her decision to reopen the area after she took office in July last year, saying that it “reflects my intention and sincerity to allow members of the public to come into the forecourt to express their views on government policies”.
“But since it is government property … we have to strike a balance in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of government offices at the same time,” she said, adding that this was why the government later introduced some guidelines.
The High Court’s ruling on Monday came four years after retired photographer Cheung Tak-wing took the Director of Administration to court for refusing his application to use the forecourt on the sole basis that his event fell on a weekday.