My Take | The role of an independent judiciary must be promoted

The threatening letters sent to judges have been rightly condemned. But they should also prompt reflection on the way perceptions of the judiciary have changed

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A statue of Lady Justice sits on top of the Court of Final Appeal in Central. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 9:22pm, 27 Nov 2021

One of the joys of covering court cases in Hong Kong in the 1990s was the absence of security measures. There was no need for them. Judges, lawyers and the public felt safe. Sadly, times have changed.

In the last three weeks, six threatening letters have been sent to judges at four courts. Three of them contained caustic soda, a highly corrosive substance. Court premises were evacuated and the bomb squad called. These are disturbing developments.

The judges concerned had all jailed protesters involved in the city’s civil unrest two years ago. Security has now been stepped up. Hongkong Post will inspect all mail addressed to courts before delivery and checkpoints for mail will be set up outside judiciary buildings.

These ugly attacks have rightly been condemned by the legal profession. The government warned it will “leave no stone unturned” to catch the culprits. But if the perpetrator is in Taiwan, the origin of at least some of the letters, there might not be much they can do.

They are not the first attempts to intimidate judges involved in jailing or denying bail to protesters and opposition figures. There were others in December and May. The ongoing threats risk undermining the city’s rule of law.

But the attacks should also prompt reflection on the way in which perceptions of the judiciary have changed in recent years.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | The role of an independent judiciary must be promoted

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} The threatening letters sent to judges have been rightly condemned. But they should also prompt reflection on the way perceptions of the judiciary have changed

My Take | The role of an independent judiciary must be promoted

The threatening letters sent to judges have been rightly condemned. But they should also prompt reflection on the way perceptions of the judiciary have changed