Hong Kong Law & Crime Politics & Protest

BREAKING: Hong Kong’s High Court rules anti-mask law unconstitutional

The High Court has ruled that the anti-mask law issued by the government is unconstitutional, as it “goes further than necessary” in the restriction of fundamental rights.

The judgment comes as a massive blow to the government, which enacted the ban under the pretext of addressing protester violence.

november 5 guy fawkes mask v vendetta Tsim sha tsui

Photo: Jimmy Lam, Benjamin Yeun/United Social Press.

However, the court said that it will decide on the question of relief at a later hearing, meaning that the ban has not yet been officially struck down.

The court also ruled that the colonial-era Emergency Regulations Ordinace (ERO), which allowed the chief executive to enact laws without legislative oversight, was partially unconstitutional. It said that the ERO, insofar as it empowers the Hong Kong leader to make laws “on any occasion of public danger,” is incompatible with the Basic Law.

More to follow.


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BREAKING: Hong Kong's High Court rules anti-mask law unconstitutional