In response to media enquiries about five trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund arrested by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force, a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government spokesman today (May 12) said that any law enforcement actions taken by the law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law and for the acts of the persons concerned, and have absolutely nothing to do with their profession or religion.
 
     The spokesman said that no one is above the law, nor can anyone break the law without bearing responsibilities. No one enjoys privileges and if there is evidence that anyone has violated the law, he or she must face justice regardless of his or her status or background.
 
     Police investigations revealed that the persons concerned are alleged to have begged foreign countries or external institutions to impose sanctions against the HKSAR, and are suspected of committing the offence of "conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security", in contravention of Article 29 of the National Security Law.
 
     The spokesman pointed out that acts and activities that endanger national security may have very serious consequences, and hence actions must be taken to prevent and suppress such acts and activities, to ensure that individuals endangering national security will face legal consequences.
 
     The spokesman stressed that the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents are guaranteed under the Basic Law. Article 4 of the National Security Law also clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR; the rights and freedoms that HKSAR residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong shall be protected in accordance with the law.
 
     The spokesman added that the HKSAR Government will continue to guard against any acts and activities endangering national security. Law enforcement departments will handle all persons impartially in accordance with the law, regardless of their background.

Ends/Thursday, May 12, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:35

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