June 13, 2023
HONG KONG – The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday adjourned a hearing on a petituon seeking an injunction against the separatism-linked song Glory to Hong Kong to July 21.
The case is being heard before Judge Chan Ka-shun.
The HKSAR government sought a court’s injunction and an interim injunction order on June 5 to prohibit four types of unlawful acts relating to the song, which was widely circulated during the 2019 social unrest.
The SAR government’s move came after a slew of national anthem blunders, in which the separatism-linked song was mistakenly presented as Hong Kong’s “national anthem” at international sports competitions involving Hong Kong teams
The unlawful acts involve disseminating, performing or reproducing in any way on any platform with intent to incite others to commit succession or with a seditious intent, or intent to insult the national anthem. The application also covers any adaptation of the song, the melody or lyrics that are substantially the same as the song.It also aims to prohibit acts concerning those knowingly assisting, inciting or authorizing others to commit such acts.
The SAR government’s move came after a slew of national anthem blunders, in which the separatism-linked song was mistakenly presented as Hong Kong’s “national anthem” at international sports competitions involving Hong Kong teams.
“It’s highly likely the song will continue to be widely disseminated, contrary to the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law) and the Crimes Ordinance,” the SAR government said in a statement on June 6.
The government also submitted to the High Court a list of 32 Youtube links involving the song in different languages.
A government spokesman stressed that “the injunction complements existing laws and serves to clarify to members of the public that the acts mentioned above may constitute criminal offenses, and should not take chances and attempt to break the law”.