Latest from Cliff Buddle
By calling into question Hong Kong courts’ power to declare laws unconstitutional if they breach the Basic Law, Beijing threatens the city’s legal system and the local judiciary’s ability to protect human rights.
By calling into question Hong Kong courts’ power to declare laws unconstitutional if they breach the Basic Law, Beijing threatens the city’s legal system and the local judiciary’s ability to protect human rights.
At times of crisis in Hong Kong, Beijing tends to tighten its grip on the city. This happened after previous mass protests in 2003 and 2014, but has only led to further public frustration, opposition – and the current movement.
At times of crisis in Hong Kong, Beijing tends to tighten its grip on the city. This happened after previous mass protests in 2003 and 2014, but has only led to further public frustration, opposition – and the current movement.
The use of a colonial-era emergency law has raised tensions at a time when Hong Kong needs to calm down. In invoking the draconian law from 1922, the Hong Kong government should draw the right lesson from history.
The use of a colonial-era emergency law has raised tensions at a time when Hong Kong needs to calm down. In invoking the draconian law from 1922, the Hong Kong government should draw the right lesson from history.
As more arrests are made amid the continuing unrest and criticism of judges’ decisions begin to roll in, Hong Kong should be reminded of the need to respect the judicial process. A repeat of the pressure that judges have had to bear working through the Occupy cases would undermine confidence in the courts.
As more arrests are made amid the continuing unrest and criticism of judges’ decisions begin to roll in, Hong Kong should be reminded of the need to respect the judicial process. A repeat of the pressure that judges have had to bear working through the Occupy cases would undermine confidence in the courts.
After three months of sometimes violent protests, the government has relented on the extradition bill. But, for the city to truly move on, it must end the silence on alleged police abuses, put universal suffrage back on the agenda, and examine why young people are angry with Beijing.
After three months of sometimes violent protests, the government has relented on the extradition bill. But, for the city to truly move on, it must end the silence on alleged police abuses, put universal suffrage back on the agenda, and examine why young people are angry with Beijing.
If Hong Kong is to survive this ordeal, the protesters must avoid provocative acts that make crackdowns more likely. The SAR government is most responsible for the escalation, though, through its misguided bill and recent inaction.
If Hong Kong is to survive this ordeal, the protesters must avoid provocative acts that make crackdowns more likely. The SAR government is most responsible for the escalation, though, through its misguided bill and recent inaction.
The extradition controversy is a symptom of a deeper problem: the chief executive is seen as Beijing-friendly and Hong Kong’s political system, too business-friendly. To ensure stability, our core values, separate system and way of life must be respected.
The extradition controversy is a symptom of a deeper problem: the chief executive is seen as Beijing-friendly and Hong Kong’s political system, too business-friendly. To ensure stability, our core values, separate system and way of life must be respected.
Though not a democracy, Hong Kong is ruled by consultation and consensus. Pushing through the extradition bill against all opposition will upset this understanding and alter the balance of the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement.
Though not a democracy, Hong Kong is ruled by consultation and consensus. Pushing through the extradition bill against all opposition will upset this understanding and alter the balance of the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement.
Beyond the debate on whether the sentences for eight leaders of the pro-democracy protests of 2014 were just, Hong Kong will still have to grapple with questions about the limits of free expression, the role of civil disobedience, and the prospects for democracy here.
Beyond the debate on whether the sentences for eight leaders of the pro-democracy protests of 2014 were just, Hong Kong will still have to grapple with questions about the limits of free expression, the role of civil disobedience, and the prospects for democracy here.
Talks began more than 20 years ago between Hong Kong and Beijing on a rendition agreement. Why did nothing come of it, and why is the government opting for a case-by-case approach that fails to address Hongkongers’ demand for fair trial safeguards?
Talks began more than 20 years ago between Hong Kong and Beijing on a rendition agreement. Why did nothing come of it, and why is the government opting for a case-by-case approach that fails to address Hongkongers’ demand for fair trial safeguards?
Henry Litton writes that his former colleagues’ decisions are baffling for ordinary people, and that judges are inefficient and pander to lawyers. He asks if they will be ready for 2047, when 50 years of no change under Chinese rule run out.
Henry Litton writes that his former colleagues’ decisions are baffling for ordinary people, and that judges are inefficient and pander to lawyers. He asks if they will be ready for 2047, when 50 years of no change under Chinese rule run out.
The Court of Final Appeal has been accused of first going too far in asserting its independence and then surrendering too much ground. The 1999 incident also opened the door to Beijing’s interpretations of the Basic Law.
The Court of Final Appeal has been accused of first going too far in asserting its independence and then surrendering too much ground. The 1999 incident also opened the door to Beijing’s interpretations of the Basic Law.
The precise relationship between China’s constitution and Hong Kong’s de facto constitution can be debated in academic circles, but let’s not forget that the Basic Law exists to protect the Hong Kong system.
The precise relationship between China’s constitution and Hong Kong’s de facto constitution can be debated in academic circles, but let’s not forget that the Basic Law exists to protect the Hong Kong system.
First the Marina is closed, then a new shopping mall appears - could the golf carts be next? Middle-class allure of suburb-by-the-sea tainted by uncertain future
First the Marina is closed, then a new shopping mall appears - could the golf carts be next? Middle-class allure of suburb-by-the-sea tainted by uncertain future
Two court decisions this year which freed young protesters have been criticised as too light, but both rulings clearly warn that, in future, demonstrations that end in violence will be dealt with sternly.
Two court decisions this year which freed young protesters have been criticised as too light, but both rulings clearly warn that, in future, demonstrations that end in violence will be dealt with sternly.
Judges have been attacked for recent rulings, but scant attention is given to the reasoning behind judgments. To educate the public, the judiciary can consider a bold move Britain has made – allowing filming in courts.
Judges have been attacked for recent rulings, but scant attention is given to the reasoning behind judgments. To educate the public, the judiciary can consider a bold move Britain has made – allowing filming in courts.
The future’s looking bright in the fight against discrimination – a victory in the city’s top court by a lesbian couple who took on the Immigration Department will have far-reaching implications
The future’s looking bright in the fight against discrimination – a victory in the city’s top court by a lesbian couple who took on the Immigration Department will have far-reaching implications
The court ruling against spousal benefits for a gay couple is a setback for Hong Kong’s progress in protecting minority rights, and the government should be ashamed of its role in it.
The court ruling against spousal benefits for a gay couple is a setback for Hong Kong’s progress in protecting minority rights, and the government should be ashamed of its role in it.
Now that the Law Reform Commission has made its recommendations on sexual offences, the Legislative Council must act quickly.
Now that the Law Reform Commission has made its recommendations on sexual offences, the Legislative Council must act quickly.
Unlike in mainland China, freedom of expression under Hong Kong’s ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement can only be restricted in extreme cases in the public interest.
Unlike in mainland China, freedom of expression under Hong Kong’s ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement can only be restricted in extreme cases in the public interest.
The surprise election of human rights lawyer Philip Dykes as Bar Association Chairman has raised fears that what has long been a strong, independent and credible voice could be adopting a more confrontational, political stance.
The surprise election of human rights lawyer Philip Dykes as Bar Association Chairman has raised fears that what has long been a strong, independent and credible voice could be adopting a more confrontational, political stance.
Consul general in city Andrew Heyn touts ‘remarkably similar’ aims of two economies concerning innovation, technology, research and development
Consul general in city Andrew Heyn touts ‘remarkably similar’ aims of two economies concerning innovation, technology, research and development
Andrew Heyn says British government has an obligation to review the affairs of its former colony
Andrew Heyn says British government has an obligation to review the affairs of its former colony
There is no clear justification under the Basic Law for the wholesale application of mainland laws in a part of Hong Kong. Attempts to get around the city’s legal framework will have far-reaching consequences.
There is no clear justification under the Basic Law for the wholesale application of mainland laws in a part of Hong Kong. Attempts to get around the city’s legal framework will have far-reaching consequences.
After a year of controversies over high-profile rulings, 2018 will be even more challenging for the Hong Kong judiciary, with final appeals and new politically sensitive cases up for hearing.
After a year of controversies over high-profile rulings, 2018 will be even more challenging for the Hong Kong judiciary, with final appeals and new politically sensitive cases up for hearing.
The offer was too good to pass up, but the trouble that came with it leaves one ‘premium customer’ disgruntled and disillusioned
The offer was too good to pass up, but the trouble that came with it leaves one ‘premium customer’ disgruntled and disillusioned
Any such move is prohibited by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which applies to the city through the Basic Law
Any such move is prohibited by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which applies to the city through the Basic Law
In light of the Court of Final Appeal’s recent refusal to allow two lawmakers disqualified for improper oath-taking to even make their case before the top court, it is worth revisiting its judgment of 1999.
In light of the Court of Final Appeal’s recent refusal to allow two lawmakers disqualified for improper oath-taking to even make their case before the top court, it is worth revisiting its judgment of 1999.