Demonstrators link hands as they gather at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 23. At least 210,000 people joined human chains on both sides of Victoria Harbour on the day, in a gesture of support for the demands of Hong Kong protesters. Photo: AP Demonstrators link hands as they gather at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 23. At least 210,000 people joined human chains on both sides of Victoria Harbour on the day, in a gesture of support for the demands of Hong Kong protesters. Photo: AP
Demonstrators link hands as they gather at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 23. At least 210,000 people joined human chains on both sides of Victoria Harbour on the day, in a gesture of support for the demands of Hong Kong protesters. Photo: AP
Erik Shum
Opinion

Opinion

Erik Shum and Wing Kay Po

If Carrie Lam declares an emergency in Hong Kong, she will be defying the rule of law

  • The Basic Law does not give Hong Kong’s chief executive the power to ‘officially proclaim’ a state of emergency
  • The city’s leader therefore has no lawful power to make emergency regulations that would comply with Hong Kong’s international treaty obligations and own bill of rights

Erik ShumWing Kay Po
Erik Shum and Wing Kay Po

Updated: 6:34am, 4 Sep, 2019

Why you can trust SCMP
Demonstrators link hands as they gather at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 23. At least 210,000 people joined human chains on both sides of Victoria Harbour on the day, in a gesture of support for the demands of Hong Kong protesters. Photo: AP Demonstrators link hands as they gather at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 23. At least 210,000 people joined human chains on both sides of Victoria Harbour on the day, in a gesture of support for the demands of Hong Kong protesters. Photo: AP
Demonstrators link hands as they gather at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 23. At least 210,000 people joined human chains on both sides of Victoria Harbour on the day, in a gesture of support for the demands of Hong Kong protesters. Photo: AP
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Erik Shum

Erik Shum

Erik Shum is vice-chair of the Hong Kong Bar Association’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights.

Wing Kay Po

Wing Kay Po

Wing Kay Po is a practising barrister in Hong Kong. She is a member of the Bar Council and chairman of the Bar's Special Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights.