By Wong Kit-hin Peter
Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's was convicted of one count of conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications, and two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security contrary to contrary to Article 29(4) of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Schedule to the Promulgation of National Law 2020 ("NSL"). Regarding false narratives that were spread, it is the international norm to enact legislation to safeguard national security. Similar laws exist in Western countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Therefore, the reprehension that Hong Kong faces from the west clearly reflects double standards.
The trial was open, fair, and impartial, where the prosecution presented ample evidence, on which the judge made an impartial ruling based on facts, evidence, and the law. Hong Kong has retained its legal system, including the common law, where the courts are not subject to any interference. The court thoroughly reviewed a vast amount of evidence with meticulous and rigorous procedures, fully demonstrating its careful consideration of facts, evidence, and the law, without any alleged political considerations involved.
The Association strongly opposes the double standards adopted by anti-China Western politicians in interfering with the legal process. Such actions are a blatant example of politicians' attempts in overriding the law, which severely undermines fairness and shows disrespect for the courts; this is in violation of international law and harms international relations. Equality before the law is fundamental, and the judges have independently determined whether Jimmy Lai has used news reporting as a pretext to engage in acts harmful to national security and Hong Kong.
External forces continue to misrepresent facts and smear the judicial system of the Hong Kong SAR. This is a challenge to the fundamental principles of "one country, two systems," and interferes in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong's matters, which is offensive. This is a disregard of the fundamental principles of the Rule of Law and judicial independence. The Association, once again, demands that these Western countries immediately cease such reprehensible political manipulation.
The Hong Kong SAR resolves to safeguard national security while protecting the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law. We urge all external forces to immediately stop interfering in the internal affairs of the SAR and the judiciary's independent exercise of its adjudicative power.
The author is the President of the Hong Kong Legal Professionals Association.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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