Concerns are growing over Hong Kong’s recent
decision to outlaw disrespect of the national anthem, with speculation over how
the law will be enforced. The South
China Morning Post asked legal experts to weigh in on how it might work.
Article 15 of the mainland law states that “anyone who plays or sings the song in a distorted or disrespectful way in public, or insults the national anthem in any other way, can be warned, detained for up to 15 days in administrative detention, or prosecuted by public security authorities”. Article 7 also states that “when the national anthem is played, people at the venue should stand solemnly and must not behave in a disrespectful manner”.
This has caused many to speculate that frivolous arrests could be made, such as if a person’s Mandarin is not good enough to sing the anthem properly, or if they fail to stop and stand when it’s played. According to legal experts, individuals may be prosecuted if they are recorded booing or disrespecting the anthem, but won’t be charged if they hadn’t clearly intended to cause offense.
This has caused many to speculate that frivolous arrests could be made, such as if a person’s Mandarin is not good enough to sing the anthem properly, or if they fail to stop and stand when it’s played. According to legal experts, individuals may be prosecuted if they are recorded booing or disrespecting the anthem, but won’t be charged if they hadn’t clearly intended to cause offense.
In Thailand disrespect of the monarchy (lèse majesté) carries harsh punishments, and there are strict Thailand defamation laws.
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Kong Illegalizes Mockery of Chinese Anthem
Image: Pranav
Bhatt
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