Hong Kong national security law: suspects with frozen assets have right to ‘challenge’ action in courts, justice minister Paul Lam insists
- Secretary for Justice Paul Lam on Tuesday assures legal forum that stability is key to superior business environment in city
- His remarks come a day after American Bar Association voiced strong opposition to legislation and urged withdrawal of bounty for eight wanted activists
Individuals who have had their assets frozen over alleged involvement in national security offences have the right to “challenge” such actions in Hong Kong’s courts, the city’s justice minister has said.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok on Tuesday sought to reassure stakeholders that stability was key to a superior business environment in the financial hub, as he defended the Beijing-imposed legislation at a legal forum.
Lam on Tuesday said the key to maintaining Hong Kong’s “superior” business environment hinged on upholding national security and stability, as he sought to reassure businesses their assets would be protected provided they observed the city’s laws.
“The law outlines strict substantial and procedural requirements for the freezing and restriction of assets related to crimes that endanger national security,” Lam argued.
“Affected individuals have the right to challenge the actions of judicial authorities in court, and their rights are protected by law.”
He insisted that the Beijing-imposed legislation only targeted “a small number of individuals” who posed a threat to national security.