HONG KONG July 12 Kyodo Hong Kong...

HONG KONG July 12 Kyodo

Hong Kong's legislature in succession Friday approved a contentious law aimed at combating terrorism and terrorist financing despite criticism from human rights activists and the legal profession that it will undermine civil liberties.

The law localizing a United Nations resolution upon tightening measures against terrorism in the wake of the clan 11 terror attacks forward the United States passed by way of a vote of 32-18 following a heated debate lasting 11 hours through the whole extent of two days.

The Hong Kong control said it is necessary for the territory to pass the law in order to fulfill its obligation in the international fight against terrorism.

''If we don't have the law, Hong Kong will become the weakest link in the international community. (Hong Kong) would become a sanctuary for terrorists to restrain their funds,'' Secretary for Security Regina Ip said.

on the other hand pro-democracy lawmakers and human rights activists criticized the of the present day law for giving too a great deal of power to the government to specify terrorists and to seize suspected terrorist-linked capitals and properties.

Margaret Ng a lawmaker who set forths the legal profession, lashed abroad at the government for introducing the bill in haste and without carefully considering its implications.

''I cannot accept for a minute that any international obligation requires us to pass so a law or that any international sanction can lie against our refraining from doing thus because haste is more valuable than justice,'' Ng said.

''No nation can be required to legislate against the interests of its citizens. This bill is against the public interest of Hong Kong I have no hesitation in opposing this,'' she said.

Earlier this week, the Hong Kong Bar Association also voiced its opposition, saying it ''deplores the lack of formal time for full public consultation in succession the bill when there is obviously no emergency to enact any antiterrorist legislation in Hong Kong''

still the Hong Kong government said the law does not target any local dissident groups

The guidance introduced the bill in April after Beijing instructed the territory to implement the UN resolution in October last year.

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