 "Hong Kong court bans popular protest song 'Glory to Hong Kong' over national security concerns")
In a significant decision, a Hong Kong appellate court has issued a ban on a protest song that gained popularity during the 2019 anti-government unrest, overturning a previous ruling and siding with the request of the justice secretary.
In a written judgment, three justices from the Court of Appeal clarified that the injunction did not entirely prohibit the song “Glory to Hong Kong” but specifically targeted criminal activities outlined in the appeal by Justice Minister Paul Lam Ting-kwok.
The prohibited criminal acts encompassed the broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, disseminating, displaying, or reproducing of the song, which became widely recognised as the unofficial anthem for the protests sparked by a now-defunct extradition bill.
The court emphasized exemptions for academic and journalistic purposes but underscored the necessity of granting the injunction to assist criminal law in safeguarding national security.
Chief Judge of the High Court Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor, along with Justices Carlye Chu Fun-ling and Anthea Pang Po-kam, highlighted the inadequacy of prosecutions alone in addressing acute criminal issues, asserting the necessity for immediate judicial intervention to prevent further harm to national security.
“The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal brought by the Secretary for Justice and granted an interlocutory injunction,” the judgment affirmed.
Moreover, the justices stressed the injunction’s crucial role in persuading internet platform operators to cease facilitating unlawful activities on their platforms, given the impracticality of individually pursuing legal proceedings against numerous unidentified individuals online.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
