Hong Kong judge bans protest song: ‘Weapon that leads to disinformation’ | Abroad

It is the first time that a song has been banned in Hong Kong since the former colony was transferred to China by the United Kingdom in 1997. The song contains the famous line “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time”.

A lower court had rejected the government’s request in June last year, because it had concerns about the consequences for innocent citizens who have nothing to do with the song. The Hong Kong government appealed.

Glory to Hong Kong emerged in 2019 during mass protests against a bill that would allow extraditions to China. The bill was later withdrawn by the regional government, but the demonstrations continued. The demonstrators only stopped after the central government in Beijing introduced a controversial security law. Prominent pro-democracy activists have since been detained or fled abroad.

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The judge writes in the new judgment that the anonymous creator of Glory to Hong Kong “the song was meant to be a weapon, and it turned out to be one”. According to him, the ban contributes to national security. The government’s lawyer said during the trial that the song amounts to “disinformation and propaganda.”

The government hopes to persuade Google to do so with the ban Glory to Hong Kong from search results.

The Chinese government in Beijing supports the ban. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs speaks of a “legitimate and necessary measure” that should contribute to national security.

Critics consider the ban over Glory to Hong Kong as another setback for freedom of expression in Hong Kong. The metropolis has a special status within China. In 1997, a ‘one country, two systems’ principle was introduced.

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