Calls Grow For A Ban On Masks At Protests

A group of pro-establishment figures, including lawmakers, National People's Congress delegates, retired disciplinary services officers and lawyers have formed a group to put pressure on the government to bring in a ban on face masks at protests.

The group, including New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip, a deputy director of the Basic Law Committee Maria Tam, and DAB legislator Elizabeth Quat, says much of the violence over the past few months was perpetrated by protesters wearing masks.

At a press conference held inside the Legco building on Thursday, the group said a ban on masks at protests would be one way the government could try to stop the ongoing unrest.

Quat said "it’s not the absolute solution, but it’s one of the solutions that can help handle today’s Hong Kong critical situation."

Say says the SAR can take reference from Canada’s mask law, which imposes prison terms of up to ten years on people who wear masks during a riot or unlawful assembly.

Another member of the group, retired police officer Chan Cho-kwong, who used to head the Junior Police Officers' Association, noted that the Canadian law exempts people who wear masks for specific reasons – like if they need to wear them for work or if they’re sick – and he wants police officers who are carrying out ‘special duties’ to be exempt as well.

Chan said commanders should be given the right to decide whether the law applies, saying officers may need to protect their identity for operational purposes.

“I trust the police force management, so we should support them”, he said.

Meanwhile, around 40 people demonstrated outside the government's headquarters at Tamar on Thursday afternoon, also demanding a mask ban.

But they did not agree that police should be exempt, saying the ban should apply to everyone in Hong Kong.

The Beijing supporters, some waving national flags, said protesters are using masks to conceal their identity and avoid criminal liability as they escalate the level of violence used.

One of the demonstrators, a man surnamed Ho who said he was a retired police training officer, said the public are very angry about the havoc caused by "rioters" in the city.

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