Ians English news | Ians, Latest News & Live Updates in English | English News (Latest English News) at Lokmattimes.com

The court said that the law, which came into effect on October 5, goes against the Basic Law (the city's constitution), Efe news reported citing public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong as saying."We should also make it clear that it is not our judgment that (an) 'anti mask' law is generally objectionable or unconstitutional. Its validity must, however, depend on the details of the legislation and the particular societal aims sought to be pursued by the measure," the court's judges said."We consider it to be clear that the measure adopted exceeds what is reasonably necessary to achieve the aim of law enforcement, investigation and prosecution of violent protesters even in the prevailing turbulent circumstances in Hong Kong," they added.However, the 106-page ruling recognizes the police's right to ask people to remove their masks and adds that refusal to do so could lead to six months in prison or a HK$10,000 ($1,280) fine.In order to impose a ban on masks, the government invoked the colonial-era Emergency Regulations Ordinance (ERO), which had not been implemented since 1967 and which grants the government widespread powers without having to go through the legislative.Using its emergency powers, the government declared the use of masks in protests a crime punishable by up to a year in prison and fines of up to HK$25,000.The controversial law seeks to force protesters to stop wearing masks as a way to hide their identities and thereby speed up police efforts to arrest protesters.A group of 24 pro-democracy lawmakers and former legislator Leung Kwok-hung had filed an appeal against the law saying that the government had gone too far and that it was undermining fundamental freedoms.A large number of young people taking part in the protests that have been taking place in the city since June have used handkerchiefs to cover their faces, as well as Guy Fawkes masks.Many people in the city were wary of the ban as they feared the government would end up invoking the ERO to ask for power to authorize arrests, censor the media, change laws or take total control of transport.Since its approval, activists have taken to the streets on numerous occasions wearing masks in defiance of the government's ban.( With inputs from IANS )

IansFOLLOW

Ians, Latest News

Australia captain Tim Paine on Monday said the upcoming Test series against Pakistan and New Zealand could be the last time he leads the side at home. ...

It was a message that drew everyone's attention. A young girl trekking the long route to the famed Sabarimala temple sported a placard around her neck reading: "Am 9 years now, next visit to the temple is after I finish 50 years, Lord Ayyappa". ...

The global public Cloud services market is expected to grow 17 per cent in 2020 to total $266.4 billion, which is up from $227.8 billion in 2019, a new forecast by Gartner Inc. said on Monday. ...

"Rustom" writer Vipul K. Rawal, who got a legal notice for reportedly hurting religious sentiments of the Christian community through the poster of his film "Tony", says certain vested interest groups are looking to gain publicity through his debut d ...

Researchers have designed multiplayer games where occupants of autonomous vehicles can play with other players in self-driving cars within near distance. ...

Within 24 hours early on Monday of the opening of the Sabarimala temple for this season's pilgrimage, its revenue has crossed Rs 3.28 crore, up by Rs 1.28 crore, as compared to the opening day in the previous season. ...

Telling the difference between a teen's normal ups and downs or something bigger is among the top challenges parents face while identifying depression among the youth, says a new study. ...

A British colonial-era emergency law revived by Hong Kongs government to ban masks in the ongoing protests was on Monday ruled by the High Court to be excessive and unconstitutional. ...