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Hong Kong national security law (NSL)
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Former chief justice Andrew Li says central authorities’ jurisdiction over a small number of national security cases raises serious concern. Photo: David Wong

Hong Kong national security law: former chief justice expresses concern over provisions of legislation

  • Andrew Li says the city leader’s chairmanship of the National Security Commission would make it inappropriate for him or her to choose a judge
  • The power of central authorities to exercise jurisdiction over small number of cases would undermine Hong Kong’s judicial independence, he feels
In a statement to the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s first post-handover chief justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang has expressed concern over the “explanation” of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee on the national security law Beijing is imposing on Hong Kong. The key points of the document were reported by Xinhua on Saturday.

His full statement is as follows:

It is unfortunate that the draft law has not yet been published. But it is significant to note that the explanation of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee has stated that the legal principles of our system would be followed, including the presumption of innocence. There is no suggestion that the law would be retrospective.

What is Hong Kong’s national security law?

I would wish to comment on two matters affecting the judiciary. First, it was stated that the chief executive would have the power to select judges who would deal with national security cases. This would be detrimental to the independence of the judiciary.

Under the Basic Law, judges are appointed by the chief executive on the recommendation of an independent commission, that is, the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. Judges are chosen on the basis of their professional qualities and they exercise their judicial power independently, free from any interference.

The judiciary is independent from the executive authorities. The independent judiciary should decide on the judges who would hear these cases without any interference from the executive authorities.

Judges attend the ceremonial opening of the legal year 2020 at City Hall in Central. Photo: Robert Ng

Further, the chief executive would not have the required knowledge of the experience and expertise of judges to make the selection on his or her own. Also, the chief executive’s chairmanship of the National Security Commission to be established in Hong Kong would make it inappropriate for him or her to make the choice on his or her own.

If this view is not acceptable, then the arrangement should at least provide that the chief executive’s selection of these judges must be based on the recommendation of the chief justice or that of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. This would ensure that the choice will be made on a professional and independent basis.

Beijing adds ‘collusion’ to draft of Hong Kong national security law

Secondly, the explanation stated that under specific circumstances, the central authorities may exercise jurisdiction over a small number of criminal cases that jeopardise national security. This also raises serious concern.

When exercised, these cases will be dealt with and tried in mainland China. The defendant will not enjoy the safeguards of our judicial process. Although it is said that this jurisdiction could only be exercised in the most exceptional circumstances, it would undermine the independent judicial power which our courts are authorised to exercise under the Basic Law.

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