In response to media enquiries about individual Legislative Council members' request for the Government to review and amend the guidelines of using the Central Government Offices (CGO) East Wing Forecourt (the Forecourt) for public meetings and processions, arising from the judgement handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court (the Court) on the judicial review case concerning the Forecourt, a spokesman for the Administration Wing today (November 21) said that the Government respected the judgement of the Court.
The Administration Wing has been studying the judgement with the Department of Justice and will make a decision soonest possible as to whether to appeal.
The spokesman said, "We respect public's freedoms of speech and assembly. The Forecourt mainly serves as a vehicular access and a passenger pick-up/drop-off point at the CGO, as well as a passageway for visitors and staff of CGO and the Legislative Council Complex. Hence, there is a genuine need to ensure the accessibility of these routes during weekdays. The Administration Wing has embarked on a review of the guidelines and mechanism on using the Forecourt for public meetings or processions to see if there is room for improvement and will take into consideration all relevant factors with a view to striking a balance."
"Pending the completion of the review, the Administration Wing will, in processing the applications for using the Forecourt for public meetings, weigh up the manner, form and impact of each application on the Forecourt operation on a case by case basis. For enquiry on the use of the East Wing Forecourt for public meetings, please contact our staff at 2810 2827."
The spokesman added that the judicial review case did not cover matters concerning the perimeter fence of the Forecourt.
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