Carrie Lam insists Hong Kong prosecutors acted without interference in arrests over stormy Legco meeting
- Chief Executive Carrie Lam rejects suggestion the arrests of eight opposition figures has a political element
- Five lawmakers were among the eight charged with contempt and interference under Legislative Council ordinance
A new political storm erupted when eight opposition figures – including five lawmakers – were charged on Sunday and Monday with contempt and interference under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance in relation to a May 8 meeting that descended into scuffles and shouting.
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Eight Hong Kong lawmakers, activists arrested over chaotic Legislative Council meeting
Critics have argued that the ordinance was supposed to protect all lawmakers when performing their duties, accusing the authorities of turning the law against those it was meant to defend.
Some also viewed the arrests as selective and a form of political suppression, given no pro-establishment lawmakers were detained despite some allegedly being involved in the physical clashes during the House Committee sitting.
But Lam maintained on Tuesday that prosecution decisions were made entirely within the Department of Justice, without any form of political or personal interference.
The rule of law is underscored by our very strong fundamentals, particularly the independence of the judiciary. Every one of us has to respect the rule of law and refrain from criticising judges and their rulings without any basis
“It is enshrined in the Basic Law that everyone is equal before the law. Nobody, including the chief executive, is above the law,” Lam said, referring to the city‘s mini-constitution.
“If there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that individuals, including Legislative Council members, have breached the law, including this piece of law called the Powers and Privileges Ordinance, then there is a case to answer.”
She went on to emphasise rule of law was a source of Hong Kong pride and the cornerstone of its success.
“The rule of law is underscored by our very strong fundamentals, particularly the independence of the judiciary. Every one of us has to respect the rule of law and refrain from criticising judges and their rulings without any basis,” Lam said.
His latest remarks reflected Washington’s growing scepticism of the city justice system’s capacity to conduct fair and apolitical legal proceedings.
Asked for her take on the US presidential election, Lam pointed out that Hong Kong had been adversely affected by worsening ties between Washington and Beijing over the past year.
While Lam said it was up to the next president to consider Hong Kong’s importance, she hoped he would keep in mind the long-established mutually beneficial relationship the US had with the city.
“So I hope the new US government will comprehensively consider its ties with Hong Kong, including the interest of many US companies in Hong Kong and the staffers they employ, and will not arbitrarily bring unreasonable impact to Hong Kong out of political suppression,” she said.
Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai, one of the eight legislators and activists arrested, called Lam‘s remark that everyone was equal before the law “ironic and absurd”.
The opposition lawmaker accused the government and Department of Justice of only prosecuting those who had dissenting views.
