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In Taiwan, police scramble to explain ban on masks for protesters

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Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/10/06
By: Huang Li-yun and Joseph Yeh


In face masks, Hong Kong people take to the streets Friday to protest the government’s decision to ban face masks in an attempt to quell mass demonstrations. (Photo courtesy of Kyodo News)

Taipei, Oct. 6 (CNA) Police authorities in Taiwan were busy Sunday trying to clarify a comment a day earlier suggesting that Taiwan would enforce an anti-mask law similar to the one being carried out in Hong Kong to deter widespread protests.

Taiwan's police will not forbid all participants in public assemblies from wearing masks and will only check on a select few based on tips or intelligence, said National Police Agency (NPA) Director-General Chen Ja-chin (陳家欽) on Sunday.

Article 14 of the Assembly and Parade Act stipulates that related authorities "shall put necessary restrictions" on "any disguising that might make personal identification difficult," Chen said, in effect prohibiting the use of masks.

It does not mean, however, that police will ban every assembly participant from wearing a mask or another disguise, Chen explained.    [FULL  STORY]

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