The British authorities on Wednesday pulled out its judges from Hong Kong’s highest courtroom, citing a China-imposed nationwide safety legislation cracking down on dissent.
Britain, which handed Hong Kong again to China in 1997, says the legislation is a breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that paved the best way for the handover.
British judges have been serving on Hong Kong’s Courtroom of Ultimate Enchantment (CFA) as a part of efforts to safeguard the rule of legislation within the metropolis.
Two of eight Britons on the CFA’s record of non-permanent overseas judges introduced their resignation, in keeping with the British authorities’s choice. It’s unclear if the remaining six would nonetheless serve.
Why did the judges stop?
The pinnacle of Britain’s prime judicial physique Robert Reed mentioned he and colleague Patrick Hodge would relinquish their roles as non-permanent judges on the Hong Kong CFA.
“I’ve concluded, in settlement with the [British] authorities, that the judges of the Supreme Courtroom can’t proceed to take a seat in Hong Kong with out showing to endorse an administration which has departed from values of political freedom, and freedom of expression,” Reed mentioned in a press release.
British International Minister Liz Truss slammed “a scientific erosion of liberty and democracy” in Hong Kong below the nationwide safety legislation.
“The scenario has reached a tipping level the place it’s not tenable for British judges to take a seat on Hong Kong’s main courtroom, and would danger legitimizing oppression,” she mentioned.
How did Hong Kong reply?
Hong Kong chief Carrie Lam expressed “remorse and disappointment” over the British choice.
In a press release, Lam mentioned the overseas judges had made a priceless contribution to Hong Kong for 25 years however “we should vehemently refute any unfounded allegations that the judges’ resignations have something to do with … the nationwide safety legislation.”
Hong Kong Chief Justice Andrew Cheung mentioned he famous with “remorse” the resignations of Reed and Hodge, calling for them to reverse their choice.
In the meantime, China mentioned it “strongly deplored” Britain’s transfer.
“By taking part in the ‘overseas judges’ card, [Britain] makes an attempt to maliciously vilify China’s insurance policies for Hong Kong and to discredit the event of Hong Kong’s rule of legislation,” the Commissioner’s Workplace, which represents Beijing’s International Ministry within the metropolis, mentioned in a press release.
What’s the nationwide safety legislation?
Beijing imposed the legislation after Hong Kong was rocked by months of generally violent anti-government road protests in 2019.
China says the legislation — which outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism and overseas collusion — has introduced stability to Hong Kong.
Nonetheless, the laws has been used to arrest over 100 pro-democracy figures. Police have additionally raided and shut down the workplaces of pro-democracy media below the legislation.
Western governments and the UN have sharply criticized the legislation, saying Beijing was eroding the autonomy promised to Hong Kong when the town was transferred again to China.
fb/nm (AFP, AP, Reuters)