Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session after attending the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Security meeting at the LegCo Complex today (April 2):
Reporter: Secretary, does it mean that the Government would not consider making the current proposal not retroactive? And secondly, do you have anything to say to the Bar Association (Hong Kong Bar Association)'s statement?
Secretary for Security: The principle of surrender of fugitives, of course, is in regard to a person who has committed a crime previously and that is the reason why he tries to escape justice and becomes a fugitive. So obviously, the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance is to deal with people who have committed a crime previously. I think that is a very obvious principle that anybody can understand. In the Bills Committee, of course we will be explaining all the amendment proposals that the Government has made and answer any questions that may arise. At that time, we will explain all the reasons, all the purposes, and all the intentions.
Your second question?
Reporter: Do you have anything to add to the Bar Association's statement?
Secretary for Security: I respect opinions from everybody. But to me, it is a fact that I cannot deal with, first of all, at present, the Taiwan murder case because there is no law. The second factor is the surrender on a case basis is full of matters that make it not practicable. So to me, it is a loophole that I must plug. I respect, of course, other opinions, and that is why at the Bills Committee, we will be explaining more to questions that will be raised with my colleagues at the time.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
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