Legco begins vetting Article 23 legislation
The Legislative Council on Friday morning began scrutinising the government's bill on domestic national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic law, as Secretary for Security Chris Tang reiterated Hong Kong's constitutional duty and need to enact the legislation.  Introducing the Safeguarding National Security Bill at the Legislative Council, Tang noted that the majority of views collected during the month-long public consultation, which ended on February 28, supported the enactment of the law.  He said his bureau and the Department of Justice had been working quickly to analyse and consider the views received from the public to complete the drafting of the law.  He noted the Chief Executive had written to the Legco President suggesting that the bill be scrutinised as early as possible and that the legislative process be completed at full speed. "The arrangement is testimony to the concerted effort of the Hong Kong SAR executive and legislature in completing the legislative exercise as soon as possible," he said.  Tang said that the offences in the bill were based on those proposed in the consultation document, adding that there were further refinements, including the penalties.  He reiterated that those who are innocent would not be wrongly prosecuted as the bill has clearly defined each offence with appropriate exceptions.  "There's a need to prove that the defendant in carrying out acts or activities that endanger national security have intention, knowledge or act recklessly. Innocent people will not be caught by the law inadvertently," he said.  He added that the provisions such as enforcement powers, court proceedings and other measures relating to the legal system were put forward after careful and cautious consideration.