Democracy Groups Hit Back At Benny Tai Criticism

Pro-democracy parties have condemned the government for its criticism of legal scholar Benny Tai over his comments on possible future political systems.

Mainland and local SAR officials, as well as pro-establishment lawmakers, had slammed Tai for hypothetically suggesting that Hong Kong could become an independent state at a forum in Taiwan last month.

That prompted a series of statements from pan-dem groups.The Democratic Party said anyone should be free to express their views on future political systems of the mainland and Hong Kong.

The Civic Party said the government had encroachment on freedom of expression and academic independence. It also accused Beijing of interfering in the city's internal matters.

The Professionals Guild, meanwhile, said people should respect others' rights and freedoms under the Basic Law, and not take comments out of context.

Earlier, more than 70 people marched to the Liaison Office in Western calling for the protection of freedom of speech.

Members of People Power, the League of Social Democrats, the Civic Party and the Progressive Teachers' Alliance took part in the protest, expressing concern over what they say is an unusually strong rebuke from the SAR and mainland officials over Tai's comments.