Hong Kong’s judges have become accustomed to facing complaints and abuse as they rule on hundreds of high-profile cases arising from the city’s civil unrest in 2019. Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, in his first speech after taking up the job in January, said judges hearing cases with political overtones would often come under intense scrutiny and their decisions would almost always be subject to “partisan criticism”. But while free speech was to be respected, he said, there must be no attempt to exert improper pressure on judges. Cheung stressed that threats of violence “are as futile as they are reprehensible”. His words deserve renewed attention. Letters containing a corrosive substance were sent to judges three times in a week. They prompted evacuations and the bomb squad was called. Thankfully no one was hurt. These appalling attempts to intimidate the judiciary cannot be tolerated. They are a threat to judicial independence and the rule of law. Last week, a threatening letter was sent to West Kowloon Court. It contained caustic soda, a highly corrosive substance that can cause burns. It was addressed to Kathie Cheung Kit-yee, a District Court judge who last month jailed five students from Chinese University for their part in a violent campus protest two years ago. Threat and white powder sent to Hong Kong police headquarters The judge was targeted again this week, with another letter containing the substance. On the same day, Magistrate Pang Leung-ting received a similar delivery at Sha Tin Court. Pang recently jailed two protesters for assaulting police. The legal profession has, rightly, been united in its condemnation of these cowardly attacks. The Department of Justice warned that no effort would be spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Bar Association chairman Paul Harris said: “Any attack on a judge or judicial staff is an attack on justice.” Law Society president Chan Chak-ming said attempts to intimidate judges “must immediately cease”. Sadly these are the latest in a long line of attacks on the judiciary. A District Court judge received threatening telephone calls in May and a magistrate was the victim of a chilling bomb threat in December. This is an alarming situation. The attacks must be stopped. The violence witnessed on the city’s streets in 2019 ceased long ago. But the community remains deeply divided. Judges have become an easy target for politically motivated attacks by those who do not agree with their rulings. The courts have a duty to decide cases freely, fairly and independently. They must not be swayed by political considerations. This role of the judiciary requires understanding and support. The judges still have many politically charged cases to try. They must be able to do so safely.