Editorial | Hong Kong’s commitment to the rule of law is clear
As the city’s courts will face continued scrutiny, the best way forward is to adhere to the fundamental principles reaffirmed by the chief justice
The conviction and imminent sentencing of former media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying for national security offences triggered a fresh wave of commentary and criticism from overseas.
This week’s ceremony was timely, providing a platform for legal chiefs to hit back, condemning unfair accusations and reasserting their faith in Hong Kong’s system of justice.
The spirited response was led by Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung who pointed out that the city’s rule of law is “more robust and enduring than the outcome of any single case”.
Judges in national security cases and other cases with political sensitivity have become accustomed to attacks on their integrity. Cheung reflected a widely held view when he said: “Many of us may be forgiven for growing weary of simplistic assertions that the rule of law is dead whenever a court reaches a result one finds unpalatable.” He warned that sanctions on judges, proposed by some US politicians, strike at the heart of the rule of law and have “absolutely no place in a civilised society”. Amid all the scrutiny, the top judge’s renewed commitment to core values is welcome. They include key elements of an open and fair trial process.
Court rulings are made by an independent judiciary in accordance with the law and evidence. They are not subject to extraneous factors. Cheung renewed his call for commentators to read the reasoned judgments and make an effort to understand them before criticising. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok echoed Cheung’s remarks, saying there was no evidence the city’s judges were biased or had allowed their independence to be compromised.