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Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 02:25
CE rejects amnesty demand for offenders
By Chen Zimo
Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 02:25 By Chen Zimo

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor holds a press conference at government headquarters in Admiralty on Tuesday.  (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor reiterated on Tuesday that demands for granting amnesty to offenders during the recent violent protests were unacceptable, a stand supported by many legal experts and politicians.

According to the police, at least 60 protesters were arrested in several incidents since June 9, including six for blocking public roads in Kowloon on Sunday and another 12 for vandalizing the Legislative Council building on July 1

Addressing a media session before the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lam said that amnesty would “bluntly go against the rule of law in Hong Kong”, adding it would be a breach of the Basic Law — the constitutional basis of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region —which prescribes that no one should interfere with the prosecution of the Department of Justice.

Her advice to protesters who do not want to get into trouble with the law was this: “In future, if anyone in Hong Kong has any different views, especially those about government policies, please continue to uphold the value of expressing it in a peaceful and orderly manner.” 

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According to the police, at least 60 protesters were arrested in several incidents since June 9, including six for blocking public roads in Kowloon on Sunday and another 12 for vandalizing the Legislative Council building on July 1.

Echoing Lam, Executive Councilor and barrister Ronny Tong Ka-wah said that all those suspected of breaking the law must go through legal proceedings, or “due process of law” presided by judges.

This is not only an important requirement of the rule of law in Hong Kong but also a recognized legal basis in all common law jurisdictions, said Tong.

Tong also cited the Basic Law, which stipulated that the Department of Justice of the HKSAR shall control criminal prosecutions “free from any interference,” including that from the government. 

Andrew Li Kwok-nang, former chief justice of the HKSAR, wrote in an article in a local newspaper on Tuesday that an amnesty for protesters would be “inappropriate” and inconsistent with the rule of law.

“It is a fundamental principle that everyone is subject to law. The law must be obeyed by everyone without exception, “said Li.

Ip Kwok-him, an unofficial member of the Executive Council, said he believes that the people of Hong Kong will not allow the city’s rule of law to be undermined.

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The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success, said Ip, who is also a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress.

mollychen@chinadailyhk.com

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