Front May Have Breached Societies Ordinance: Police

The police have accused the Civil Human Rights Front of breaching the Societies Ordinance and demanded information from the pro-democracy group on its finances and activities, amid fears that it could be outlawed.

In a Facebook post, the front said its convenor, Figo Chan, received a letter from the force on Monday when he was reporting to the police in connection with another case.

According to the letter, the group had cancelled its registration under the Societies Ordinance two months after its application was approved back in 2006. It accused the group of violating the ordinance because there were "signs that it had continued operating" after de-registration.

The police demanded answers to a number of questions, including why the front was not registered under the Societies Ordinance, whether the group was responsible for all the information posted on its website and Facebook page, as well as details on its income and expenses.

Officers also wanted information on all the public processions that the group had organised since September 2006, as well as the reason for issuing a joint statement last December with more than 20 other groups demanding that the mainland and Hong Kong governments respect human rights.

The front says it has until next Wednesday to submit all the relevant information. It also says it's now seeking legal advice on the matter.

The group is best known for organising the annual July 1 protest and a number of mass rallies in June 2019 in the early days of the anti-extradition movement.