Carrie Lam invokes emergency laws in Hong Kong

MORE THAN 50 years have passed since Hong Kong last made use of its draconian Emergency Regulations Ordinance, a colonial-era law that allows the government to impose sweeping restrictions on civil liberties. The territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, declared on October 4th that escalating violence had “reached a very alarming level in the past few days”, so she had decided to invoke it. “Hong Kong is not in a state of emergency,” she said. “But we are indeed in an occasion of serious danger.” The government’s supporters will be pleased; they had long been urging this. But thousands of people have taken to the streets in protest against the measure.

Mrs Lam announced only one restriction that will be imposed under the emergency law, namely on the wearing of masks at unauthorised protests (most are). This could affect large numbers of people. During the past four months of unrest, many participants in peaceful protests have worn surgical masks to avoid being recognised. Almost everyone involved in violent ones have worn more extensive face-coverings, often including gas masks and goggles. The prohibition takes effect on October 5th, and will even extend to the use of face paint (though wearing masks for medical, work or religious reasons is exempt). Violators could be fined HK$25,000 ($3,200) and jailed for up to a year.