Dr. Henry Ho, founder and chairman of the OCTS Youth Forum and a member of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit Expert Group, called on the international community to support Hong Kong judges and oppose sanctions targeting members of the city's judiciary during an address at the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Speaking at the Council's 17th meeting, Ho highlighted what he described as growing international recognition of Hong Kong's rule of law, citing remarks made earlier this year by Claudio Visco, president of the International Bar Association (IBA).
According to Ho, Visco said during Hong Kong's Opening of the Legal Year ceremony in January that the city has maintained a strong tradition of the rule of law and had navigated the transition following the implementation of two national security laws in a constructive manner.
Ho also noted that Visco pledged that the IBA would speak out against what he termed unjustified sanctions imposed on Hong Kong judges and legal professionals.
Drawing a comparison with criticism previously voiced by the IBA's Human Rights Institute, Ho said he was encouraged to see what he described as a more evidence-based assessment of Hong Kong's legal system among members of the international legal community.
Addressing concerns over the implementation of the National Security Law, Ho said the legislation protects the rights of all parties involved in legal proceedings, including defendants.
As an example, he referred to the case involving Jimmy Lai, saying the trial has been conducted openly for more than 150 days and involved over 80,000 pages of evidence. He added that the court's judgment exceeds 800 pages and is publicly available online.
Ho concluded by urging the international community to support Hong Kong's judiciary and oppose sanctions imposed by the US on judges and legal officials.
He said Hong Kong judges would continue to administer justice independently and in accordance with the law, "without fear or favour."
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