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Anti-triad legislations in Hong Kong: issues, problems and development

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Abstract

One way to tackle triad societies is through effective legislation. The present article first describes and reviews the legislation dealing with triad activities in Hong Kong – The Societies Ordinance – and highlights the main issues and problems. Four issues are discussed, namely ambiguity in the definition of triad membership, doubtful neutrality of triad experts, outdated triad-related literature cited in the court, and the contradiction with human rights and freedom of expression. The article further examines the effect of the ordinance in suppressing triad activities and argues that the law is not very effective in penalizing senior triad members, thus justifying the need for a new legislation to contain the growth of triad activities and organized crime.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

    Sharon Ingrid Kwok & T. Wing Lo

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  1. Sharon Ingrid Kwok
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  2. T. Wing Lo
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Correspondence to T. Wing Lo.

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Kwok, S.I., Lo, T.W. Anti-triad legislations in Hong Kong: issues, problems and development. Trends Organ Crim 16, 74–94 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-012-9180-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-012-9180-2

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