Hong Kong lawmakers fear curbs on protests

Opposition lawmakers expressed fears Tuesday that Hong Kong police will restrict protests during the Olympics equestrian competition after they removed a pro-Tibet protester during the territory's leg of the Olympic torch relay.

Hong Kong, which is hosting the equestrian event for the Beijing Olympics, has become a possible magnet for protesters as mainland China has tightened visa restrictions ahead of the games. A former British colony now ruled by China, Hong Kong is supposed to enjoy Western-style civil liberties and grants visa-free access to citizens of many Western countries.

However, critics fear authorities will restrict freedoms in the territory during the Olympics to please Beijing with a trouble-free equestrian competition. A rash of equine diseases and substandard quarantine procedures in China forced Beijing to hand the equestrian events to Hong Kong, which has a well-established racing circuit.

Immigration officials turned back pro-Tibet activists who flew into Hong Kong before its leg of the Olympic torch relay on May 2.

At a legislative hearing Tuesday about security arrangements for the equestrian event, opposition lawmakers questioned why Hong Kong police also removed a pro-Tibet protester during the torch relay and asked if they would take the same approach during the Olympics.

Police have said they acted to protect the protester, who was surrounded by China supporters. But the protester, Christina Chan, said at the time she wanted to stay put.

Lawmakers accused police of depriving her of the right to free expression.

"I get the impression that the minority cannot express their opinion," said opposition lawmaker James To.

Another legislator, Leung Kwok-hung, accused police of being motivated by political considerations.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Bill Suen responded that police have a responsibility to protect protesters as well as the general public order.

"Besides urging both sides to stay calm, if police feel order or even safety is threatened, they may have to take another step," Suen said.

The Hong Kong government has said police will assign sites to protesters during the equestrian competition.