- Title: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says no plans to use emergency powers for other laws
- Date: 8th October 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (OCTOBER 8, 2019) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING CAMERAMEN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "It is actually a very difficult decision because of the resistance, because of the enforcement concerns and because of perception. So what I can assure you is that the government will take a very serious view and careful assessment before the ERO (Emergency Regulations Ordinance) is invoked again." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "It is too early to say that the anti-mask law is not effective. I'm sure you will agree that for any new policy or new legislation, it will take time for it to be effectively implemented. But please allow me to reiterate, that if we are so proud of Hong Kong being a city that upholds and safeguard the rule of law, one important component of the rule of law, is a law-abiding population. We need the people of Hong Kong to respect the law." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "But the second (effect), which I personally think is more important, is a deterrent effect. We do not want more people -- just because they are wearing a mask and they think they cannot be identified -- to think that they can ignore and act against the law. And this is directed at the underaged teenagers -- I am as concerned as all of you about these teenagers, these students. As we have told you before, among those arrested after the new academic year began, nearly 40 per cent of them are under 18." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "At this point in time, I still strongly feel that we should find the solutions ourselves. That is also the position of the central government that Hong Kong should tackle the problem on her own. But if the situation becomes so bad, then no options can be ruled out if we want Hong Kong to at least to have another chance." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 22nd October 2019 04:53
- Keywords: Carrie Lam anti-mask law Hong Kong protests
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001B08IP8N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday (October 8) her administration had no plans to use emergency powers for the introduction of other laws and that the Chinese territory was equipped to handle the current situation on its own as the city braced for further demonstrations through the week.
Lam was speaking at a news conference after a long weekend of violent protests at which thousands of people defied colonial-era emergency powers imposed on Saturday (October 5) that had banned the wearing of face masks.
Lam on Friday (October 4) invoked the emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years in a dramatic move intended to quell escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city.
The ban on face masks took effect Saturday, Oct. 5, under the emergency laws that allow authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in the public interest, Lam said.
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