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Supporters of the seven jailed police officers march to police headquarters from Chater Garden, to protest over the prison sentences. Photo: Felix Wong

Letters to the Editor, February 21, 2017

Citizens losing confidence in the rule of law

The rule of law is of paramount importance in Hong Kong.

It has always been accepted that it should be obeyed by all citizens and yet many Hongkongers are losing faith in it and in those officers who have the task of enforcing it.

Law enforcement officers must never abuse the positions of power they are given.

However, the seven police officers jailed on Friday for two years did abuse their positions. They were convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (“Outrage at two-year terms for officers who beat up activist”, February 18).

If citizens lose faith in police officers, this can harm social ­harmony. When there is a lack of mutual trust, conflicts are more likely to break out.

I trust the sentencing by the court can help to rebuild Hongkongers’ confidence in the rule of law.

Bobo Man Siu-ying, Tseung Kwan O

Strong attack on sentencing was wrong

Following the conviction and sentencing of the seven police officers for beating social worker Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, I was shocked to read the comments of some notable figures in Hong Kong society and netizens, about the decision of the court.

There were personal online attacks against the judge who handed down the ­sentences. People were calling our legal ­system into question.

The rule of law and judicial independence are pillars of our society.

I am deeply worried that some of these comments could weaken the authority of our judiciary and deliver the wrong message to the public about our courts, which ­remain impartial.

The trial of former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen shows clearly that everyone is equal before the law in Hong Kong .

I urge those who have been so critical of our judicial system, following the sentencing of the officers on Friday, to desist. It is a system that took more than a century to establish. These critics should have looked long and hard at the evidence that was presented and the comments of the judge before speaking out. In our courts, verdicts are based on the facts of the case.

People are entitled to their views, but they should be made on the basis of mutual respect.

Anfield Tam, Quarry Bay

Food apps can generate much more waste

The growth in popularity of food delivery apps has resulted in changes to people’s habits and the way some restaurants do business.

Many people use the apps to have food delivered at home rather than going out for a meal. Initially, this led to a drop in ­revenue for restaurants until they ­accepted reality and joined the apps. These eateries have had no choice but to follow the latest trends and be innovative in ­order to keep pace with the ­demands of customers.

Food delivery apps certainly offer customers a lot of choice. However, while the meals may be convenient and delicious, they create even more waste in Hong Kong.

They often come in styrofoam containers and with disposable plastic utensils. These will be thrown out and end up in our landfills. The more we order meals by using food delivery apps, the less environmentally friendly we are.

People should either eat at the restaurant or bring their own reusable lunchbox to take the meal home.

I am also concerned about the effect on people’s health if they use these food apps a lot. It is good to make the effort, choose your own ingredients and cook a nutritious meal at home.

It is high time citizens looked closely at these two issues – their health and wasteful ­habits, and made improvements.

Chan King-yi, Yau Yat Chuen

Children doing TSA under a lot of pressure

The Territory-wide System ­Assessment,(TSA) and its ­revamped version is one of the most controversial issues facing the Education Bureau.

Schools were criticised for changing teaching content so pupils would perform better in the TSA tests, with more practice tests. Children in Primary Three are too young to be able to deal with this kind of pressure.

Primary Six pupils are preparing for secondary school. Their time can be put to better use than having to do TSA tests.

I agree with Alex Lo’s ­comments (“Trust, not tests, is the real issue with TSA”, January 25). Let schools regulate the ­content of their lessons. The Education Bureau should give children back their happy ­childhood.

Sandy Yuen, Kwai Chung

Kindergarten teachers get raw deal

Kindergarten teachers have a lot of responsibility, but earn far less than secondary school teachers or university professors. I think they deserve higher pay and should be treated better.

They face a lot of pressure from what are known as ­monster parents. They are very overprotective and if they object to something their young children are being taught, they take it out on the kindergarten teacher. If the children cry, their ­parents blame the teachers.

These teachers also have to do an enormous amount of preparatory work, for example, decorating the classroom for a party or preparing for various class ­activities. Some of them will continue their work at home in the evening. Given their workload and the pressure they are under, they are entitled to better ­conditions and pay.

Natalli Lo, Tseung Kwan O

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