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Judiciary impartial: officials

Victory for the Government in court cases does not mean judicial independence is being undermined, officials said yesterday.

The assurance was given by the Department of Justice in a paper to legislators.

'Members of the community should not be encouraged to perceive that a decision in favour of the SAR Government was not reached impartially, or that the judiciary is vulnerable to political pressure,' the paper said.

'Instead, they should be encouraged to view the judiciary for what it is - a strong and independent body of judges who protect the rights of members of the community, regardless of political considerations.' The department was outlining a series of 'misconceptions' arising from the Government's request last year for Beijing to, in effect, overturn the Court of Final Appeal's landmark ruling on right of abode.

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