A loophole in Hong Kong's legislation is allowing those
possessing, producing or distributing internet child pornography to
walk free, according to a report by CNN.com. It appears that,
although a bill to address the issue was introduced three years
ago, the Hong Kong's Legislative Council cannot agree on its
wording.
Neither mainland China nor Hong Kong have, at the moment, laws
covering producing, distributing or downloading internet child
pornography. According to CNN.com, the Child Pornography Bill,
introduced over three years ago, is stuck in a legal limbo, because
of a debate on what exactly constitutes "possession" of on-line
child pornography.
Under the proposed legislation, those found guilty of possessing
child pornography would face up to five years imprisonment.
However, legislators are reportedly concerned that the bill could
give Hong Kong's law enforcement excessive powers.
The territory's Legislative Council fears that a wrong
definition of "possession" could result in prosecutions of internet
users who received unsolicited offensive material.
According to CNN.com, the situation has prompted calls for Hong
Kong's legislative Council to speed up the passage of the proposed
law.
