HKSAR Government strongly opposes and condemns overseas legal professional organisations for groundless attacks and slandering against National Security Law and related law enforcement actions
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"Endangering national security is a very serious offence. No country, including those where the organisations concerned are located, will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security. The biased remarks made by the organisations concerned about the NSL show their extremely limited understanding on the NSL," the HKSAR Government spokesman emphasised.
"The NSL has provided clear definition to the actus reus and mens rea of four categories of offences - namely secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. No one will unwittingly breach the Law. The NSL also clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR."
"The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The eight persons concerned who have fled overseas are alleged to have continued to commit offences under the NSL that seriously endanger national security. The Police have the responsibility to take all necessary measures in accordance with the law to arrest the persons related to the cases and bring them to justice.
"The HKSAR Government reiterates that it is a common practice of the Police and other law enforcement agencies to release information of fugitive offenders who have allegedly committed serious offences and are wanted, and appeal to members of the public to assist in bringing fugitive offenders to justice. This is also squarely in line with the international practice. "
Mr Kwok Wing-hang and Mr Yam Kevin are both wanted by the NSD for allegedly committing offences endangering national security. Both of them made use of their capacity as a Hong Kong barrister and a Hong Kong solicitor to smear Hong Kong's judicial system and rule of law, and make slanderous remarks against Hong Kong judges and prosecutors. They advocated and supported foreign 'sanctions' against China and the HKSAR (in particular judicial officers and prosecutors of the HKSAR). Their acts have undermined the judicial system and overall interests of the HKSAR, and are suspected of seriously violating cardinal professional rules and ethics of a legal practitioner. As the guardian of public interest in the proper administration of justice and upholding the rule of law, the Secretary for Justice is duty-bound to lodge formal complaints to the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong, so that the two professional bodies can independently handle these complaints and follow up in accordance with the law and the established procedures.
"The HKSAR Government solemnly urges the organisations concerned to discern fact from fallacy and stop being manipulated by people with ulterior motives, immediately refrain from wantonly slandering and smearing the NSL and the implementation of the Law in the HKSAR. The HKSAR Government will continue to implement the NSL resolutely, fully and faithfully, thereby preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, so as to allow Hong Kong to advance from stability to prosperity steadily," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Issued at HKT 22:38
Issued at HKT 22:38
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