Abuse of Covid police not illegal, watchdog says

The commission has urged people to stop making abusive remarks about police officers who've contracted coronavirus. Photo: AP

The Equal Opportunities Commission has said that online abuse aimed at police officers who have been diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus does not amount to a breach of the disability discrimination law, although it's still urging people to stop doing it.



It posted a statement on its website late on Tuesday after Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker Priscilla Leung said abusive remarks about police officers who fell ill and protests against quarantine centres and clincs could breach equality laws.



"While certain individuals have, by riding on recent incidents related to Covid-19, gloated over and made cursing remarks against the infected patient of a particular profession through online and other platforms, these comments, though extremely inappropriate, cannot be reasonably interpreted as inciting hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule towards the patient," it said in a statement.



"Nonetheless, the EOC calls on the public to refrain from making these comments, which are not only generating social conflicts, but also against the core values of respect and inclusion of Hong Kong."



In a post on her Facebook page, Leung said she was shocked and outraged by the commission's remarks, and pointed out that she hadn't yet submitted a complaint.



A 48-year-old police officer was diagnosed with Covid-19 last week. Four other officers were being tested.