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
Opinion
Opinion
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
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