Anson Chan slams Hong Kong’s ‘naked political screening’ as she receives US justice prize
City’s former No 2 official also urges international community to speak out for – and remind Beijing of – the ‘one country, two systems’ principle
The recent election ban on young Hong Kong activist Agnes Chow Ting is no different from “naked political screening of a pro-democracy candidate”, the city’s former No 2 official said on Sunday as she urged the international community to speak out and protect the former British colony’s freedoms.
“The international community is entitled to expect that China’s growing importance as a global superpower is matched by a greater commitment to global values,” she said.
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During her acceptance speech, Chan said worrying evidence had suggested that Hong Kong officials, under pressure from Beijing, were increasing ruling by law to suppress dissent and intimidate pro-democracy protesters.
“The government has added salt to the wounds by refusing to validate a candidate from a political party that promotes the right of Hongkongers to determine how best to preserve their values and lifestyle but stops short of advocating independence,” she said. “This decision looks very much like naked political screening of a pro-democracy candidate.”
The three pro-democracy advocates were put behind bars last year after a local court ruled in the government’s favour, but the jail terms were quashed last week by the city’s top court, which at the same time endorsed stricter sentencing guidelines for unlawful protests in future.
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“Once the impartiality of the system of prosecution is called into question, or certain politically motivated groups seek to put pressure on and intimidate judges, any free society is perched precariously at the top of a very slippery slope,” she said.
Chan said it had become clear that Beijing was now bent on moulding the city’s governance to become more closely aligned with that of the mainland, and she called on the international community to voice their concern.
“Hong Kong’s many overseas friends, not least the United States, can play a key role by continuing to take an active interest in Hong Kong,” she said. “They should continue to remind Beijing, in a non-confrontational way, that the world is still rightly interested and engaged in ensuring the continuing success and integrity of the concept of ‘one country, two systems’ for sound practical and economic reasons.”
The O’Connor Justice Prize was created to honour retired US Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O’Connor – the first woman to serve on America’s highest court. It recognises those who have made extraordinary efforts to advance the rule of law, justice and human rights.
The previous three recipients were Carter, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay of South Africa, and former Spanish foreign minister Ana Palacio.
On Sunday night a Hong Kong government spokesman hit out at Chan’s remarks, saying there was no question of any political censorship or restriction of the right to stand for elections.
“Statements arbitrarily made to undermine the rule of law and our well-recognised reputation in this regard are not conducive to Hong Kong’s progress,” the spokesman said.
Watch: Hong Kong legislative elections explained