The authorities in Hong Kong have denied access to some activists planning protests during the Olympic torch relay in the territory.

The actress and campaigner, Mia Farrow, was allowed in, but others have reportedly been refused entry.

Ms Farrow is due to make a speech on Friday calling on China to do more to end the conflict in Darfur.

Those barred from entry to Hong Kong were thought to be campaigners for the Free Tibet movement.

Three members of the Students for a Free Tibet campaign High speed cause of train crash ...
Beijing athletes allowed to blog ... told journalists they had been put on a flight from the Special Administrative Region of China earlier this week.

The group's Executive Director, Lhadon Tethong said in a webcast: "Tibetans will do everything in their power to protest during the torch relay."

Red pride

But thousands of Hong Kong citizens and visitors from the mainland are expected to line the route of the relay through the former British colony.

People were being encouraged to wear red to show their support for the torch and for China.

During the relay, the torch will pass by the Olympic Equestrian Centre.

After Hong Kong, the torch will go through more than 100 more towns and cities in China before ending up at the Olympic stadium in Beijing on 8 August for the start of the Olympic Games.

Freedom of speech is protected by the Basic Law - Hong Kong's mini-constitution agreed before the end of British rule in 1997.

Many thought Ms Farrow might be turned away at the airport when she arrived to give a speech critical of China's ties with Sudan. After reaching the immigration desk to get her passport stamped, officials escorted her away to discuss her plans.

"They wanted some reassurance that we were not here to disrupt the torch relay, which of course we are not," Ms Farrow told reporters.

She said that immigration officials gave her a statement warning her not to disrupt law and order.

(BBC)

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