Hong Kong, 4 Apr (ZXS) -- The Hong Kong SAR Government expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition on 25 April to the so-called report issued by the "cross-party Hong Kong group" of the British Parliament, which used the name of press freedom to reverse right and wrong and slander Hong Kong's implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and safeguard the rule of law.
A spokesman for the HKSAR government said: "The SAR government firmly opposes the repeated malicious slander of the Hong Kong National Security Law by relevant British politicians, wantonly interference in Hong Kong's lawful governance and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong, and strongly dissatisfies their ignorance of the fact that the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has restored the lives and economic activities of the vast number of Hong Kong citizens to normal and the business environment has resumed." The so-called content of the report of these politicians is full of fallacies, using politics over the rule of law and trying to undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, but they are only self-defeating, poor reasoning, and doomed to failure. ”
The spokesman said that Hong Kong's judicial system has always been highly respected by the international community, and any attempt by any country, organization or individual to use political force to interfere in the judicial procedures of the HKSAR in order to prompt any defendant to evade due judicial trial is a flagrant violation of the rule of law in the HKSAR. Making statements or acts with the same intent to interfere with or obstruct the administration of justice is highly likely to constitute criminal contempt of court or obstruction of justice.
The spokesman stressed that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, which has always adhered to the principle that the law must be followed and violations must be prosecuted, which has been deeply recognized by the international community. The Department of Justice of the HKSAR Government has always been in charge of criminal prosecution under the protection of Article 63 of the Basic Law without any interference; and rigorously and objectively make independent prosecution decisions in each case based on evidence and applicable law in accordance with the Prosecution Code. The Department of Justice will only institute prosecution if there is sufficient evidence to give a reasonable chance of conviction in the case and where it is in the public interest.
The spokesman said that defendants in criminal offences would be tried fairly by a judiciary with independent trial power under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. Article 85 of the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the courts of the HKSAR shall conduct trials independently without any interference. In addition, Article 25 of the Basic Law guarantees equality before the laws of Hong Kong for Hong Kong residents. None of the cases will be handled differently depending on the professional, political or background of the person involved. In all criminal trials, the prosecution must adduce evidence beyond reasonable doubt before the HKSAR Court can convict a defendant and the defendant has a legally protected right of appeal.
The spokesman said that Article 4 of the Hong Kong National Security Law clearly stipulates that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall respect and protect human rights in safeguarding national security, and protects the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the Basic Law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights applicable to Hong Kong, including freedom of speech, press and publication. Article 5 of the Hong Kong National Security Law stipulates that the principle of the rule of law shall be adhered to in safeguarding national security, including the principle of presumption of innocence and the principle of non-trial in idem, and ensuring that criminal suspects, defendants, and other litigation participants enjoy the right to defense and other procedural rights in accordance with law. The Court of Final Appeal has pointed out that these two provisions are essential to the overall interpretation of the National Security Law. "In fact, since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the media environment in Hong Kong has remained thriving. As always, the media may exercise their right to supervise the work of the HKSAR Government; Media commentary and criticism of government governance are not only free and unrestricted, as long as they do not break the law, but are also a regular occurrence. ”
"The HKSAR Government resolutely upholds national sovereignty, security and development interests, upholds the authority of the Hong Kong National Security Law, fulfills its duties and obligations in safeguarding national security in accordance with the law, and at the same time protects the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong citizens in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the stable and long-term implementation of 'one country, two systems'." The HKSAR Government strongly urges relevant British politicians to immediately stop their conduct that is inconsistent with international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China's internal affairs. (End)