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Britain stated retaining its judges in Hong Kong’s Court docket of Remaining Enchantment would “legitimize oppression” below a controversial safety legislation within the former British colony.
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 had been serving on Hong Kong’s Court docket of Remaining Enchantment (CFA) as a part of efforts to safeguard the rule of legislation within the metropolis.
Two of eight Britons on the CFA’s listing of non-permanent international judges introduced their resignation, in step with the British authorities’s determination. It’s unclear if the remaining six would nonetheless serve.
Why did the judges give up?
The top of Britain’s prime judicial physique Robert Reed stated 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 Court docket can not 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 stated in an announcement.
British International Minister Liz Truss slammed “a scientific erosion of liberty and democracy” in Hong Kong below the nationwide safety legislation.
“The state of affairs has reached a tipping level the place it’s now not tenable for British judges to take a seat on Hong Kong’s main courtroom, and would danger legitimizing oppression,” she stated.
How did Hong Kong reply?
Hong Kong chief Carrie Lam expressed “remorse and disappointment” over the British determination.
In an announcement, Lam stated the international judges had made a invaluable 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 stated he famous with “remorse” the resignations of Reed and Hodge, calling for them to reverse their determination.
In the meantime, China stated it “strongly deplored” Britain’s transfer.
“By taking part in the ‘international 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, stated in an announcement.
What’s the nationwide safety legislation?
Beijing imposed the legislation after Hong Kong was rocked by months of typically violent anti-government avenue protests in 2019.
China says the legislation — which outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism and international 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 places of work 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.
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