Exco Rejects Appeal Over Outlawing Of HKNP

The Executive Council has rejected an appeal against the government's move to outlaw the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party.

The government banned the group last year under the Societies Ordinance, saying it was a threat to national security.

The group's founder, Chan Ho-tin, appeared before an Exco panel last month to plead his case after filing an appeal.

But he complained that he'd had no legal representation, as his lawyers weren't able to attend at the scheduled time and the panel refused to change it.

In a three-page response, the Exco secretariat said Chief Executive Carrie Lam agreed with the panel and decided the ban should be upheld.

"The CE agreed with the panel that the objectives of the National Party to establish a “Republic of Hong Kong” was unlawful, as it was against the Basic Law and One Country, Two Systems."

Officials said evidence also showed that the party didn't only stop at thoughts or words, but had taken different actions to pursue independence.

They said there is no reasonable guarantee that it wouldn't resort to or advocate violence to achieve independence.

Chan, who was out of town when the announcement was made, says he'll consult his lawyers before deciding on the next move.

Chan can still lodge a judicial review, and he's indicated earlier that he might do so.