The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 29) expressed strong opposition to a statement issued by the European Union (EU)'s spokesperson on civil and political rights.
     
     "We vehemently oppose the EU's various unfounded criticisms and misleading comments about the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (the National Security Law) and the general situation of Hong Kong", a spokesperson for the HKSAR Government said.
 
     "It should be stressed that the National Security Law was enacted to restore the enjoyment of rights and freedoms which many people in the HKSAR had been unable to enjoy during the period of serious violence between June 2019 and early 2020. The National Security Law has indeed achieved the intended effect, and has swiftly and effectively restored stability and security. These are indisputable facts shared by the experiences of people living and businesses operating here in Hong Kong, who are relieved and happy to see that Hong Kong now continues to be an open, safe, vibrant and business-friendly metropolis.
 
​    "The promulgation of the National Security Law is in line with the international practice of safeguarding national security. It is appalling to see that the EU has deliberately vilified it by applying double standards and making baseless allegations.
 
   "Article 4 of the National Security Law specifically provides that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, while Article 5 of the National Security Law affirms adherence to the principle of the rule of law while enforcing the law against offences endangering national security. All law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies, including those under the National Security Law and any other law, are based on evidence, strictly according to the law, for the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance or background. Suggestions that persons or organisations with certain backgrounds should be immune to legal sanctions for their illegal acts and activities are contrary to the rule of law.
   
   "The HKSAR Government has all along been unwaveringly committed to the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary, which underpins the city's success as an international business and financial centre. Judicial independence in Hong Kong after the implementation of the National Security Law remains as robust as ever. The independence of the Judiciary is constitutionally guaranteed under the Basic Law. That the courts of the HKSAR can exercise independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication free from any interference, is enshrined under Articles 2, 19 and 85 of the Basic Law.
     
     "Since the city's return to the motherland, the HKSAR Government has been firmly committed to safeguarding the freedoms of the press, of speech, of assembly and of association, all of which are protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance."
         
     The spokesman stressed that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under "one country, two systems", and comes directly under the Central People's Government. 
 
      The HKSAR Government urged the EU again to stop interfering in the internal affairs of China through Hong Kong affairs.

Ends/Friday, July 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 14:58

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