The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (July 13) strongly condemned the so-called "staff research report" recently published by the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which, once again, manifests its hegemonism by disseminating slanders and attempting to intimidate the prosecutors of the HKSAR Government.
A spokesperson for the HKSAR Government said, "Under Article 63 of the Basic Law, '(t)he Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference'. 'Interference' includes any foreign interference. Prosecutorial decisions have always been, and will continue to be, made based on the law, the evidence and the Prosecution Code – nothing more, nothing less. In Hong Kong, which faithfully upholds the rule of law, this principle applies irrespective of the nature of the criminal offence or the personal background, including political background, of the individual involved.”
The spokesperson rebuked that it is most despicable for the so-called "staff research report" to name the Secretary for Justice, together with 15 prosecutors, of the HKSAR Government with a threat of imposing the so-called "sanction" on them. This is clearly trampling on legal justice and attempting to threaten by way of hegemonism the HKSAR Government officials who have been discharging their due prosecution role dutifully with justice upheld. Such gross interference in Hong Kong matters constitutes a serious violation of fundamental principles of international law.
The spokesperson said, "The attempt of the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China to repeat a lie numerous times as if it were a truth simply reflects its ill intent and amounts to nothing more than an indecent act".
Officers of the Department of Justice of the HKSAR Government shall and will continue to discharge their duties faithfully, fearlessly and steadfastly in the best interests of Hong Kong. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, reiterated that he is not concerned about being subjected to the so-called "sanction". "We will not be intimidated. I have full confidence in my colleagues and will do whatever possible to ensure that they will be able to discharge their duties at ease," he added.
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