HKSAR Government highly opposes giving of asylum to 2 HK fugitives by Australia and UK respectively
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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government the other day (August 18) revealed strong opposition to the approving of asylum to 2 Hong Kong fugitives threatening nationwide security who have actually absconded overseas by Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) respectively.
A representative for the HKSAR Government stated that the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, summoned the Consul-General of Australia in Hong Kong, Mr Gareth Williams, and the British Consul General in Hong Kong, Mr Brian Davidson, respectively the other day afternoon. At the conference, Mr Chan solemnly explained that the HKSAR Government opposes any nation harbouring wrongdoers in any type and is highly disappointed with any conduct that harbours lawbreakers under any pretext. He restated that such harbouring efficiently enables specific people or organisations to be immune from legal effects for their prohibited acts, which is no various from approving an unique benefit to break the law. What Australia and the UK have actually carried out in harbouring these transgressors completely runs contrary to the spirit of the guideline of law and is never favorable to the relationship in between the HKSAR and the 2 federal governments.
Mr Chan worried to the 2 nations’ Consuls-General in Hong Kong that Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the guideline of law and has actually constantly abided by the concept that laws should be complied with and crooks should be held responsible. As the police department of the HKSAR protecting nationwide security, the Hong Kong Police are duty-bound to pursue the liability of those who have actually apparently threatened nationwide security overseas. Those absconders are desired due to the fact that they continue to blatantly take part in activities threatening nationwide security. It is essential for the Police to take all legal procedures, consisting of using to the court for arrest warrants, to highly fight the acts of abscondment, and such actions are totally warranted, essential and genuine.
At the exact same time, any arrest and prosecution are based upon realities and proof, and is directed versus the criminal act and has absolutely nothing to do with the political position, background, believed or speech of the individual(s) worried. Anybody implicated of breaching the law will deal with an open and reasonable trial. The Hong Kong courts will, as constantly, with noise guideline of law and human rights defense, deal with all cases in an independent, reasonable and simply way. There is no concern of political persecution in Hong Kong.
At the conference, Mr Chan restated that human rights in Hong Kong have actually constantly been robustly ensured constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance plainly state that human rights will be appreciated and safeguarded in securing nationwide security in the HKSAR, which the rights and liberties, consisting of the flexibilities of speech, of journalism, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of presentation, that Hong Kong locals delight in will be secured in accordance with the law. Relating to organisations and people threatening nationwide security, the HKSAR Government will not excuse their criminal acts, and will not quit pursuing them, consisting of embracing all useful steps to bring those fugitives threatening nationwide security who have actually absconded from Hong Kong to justice.
Mr Chan repeated that the HKSAR Government will, as constantly, resolutely, completely and consistently avoid, reduce and enforce penalty for acts and activities threatening nationwide security, whilst supporting the rights and flexibilities of Hong Kong individuals in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government highly requires that foreign federal governments instantly stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are simply China’s internal affairs.
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, likewise participated in the aforementioned conference.