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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 7) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 7) expressed regret at the resignation of Lord Sumption and Lord Collins of Mapesbury as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Mr Lee noted that Lord Collins of Mapesbury had stated that he continued to "have the fullest confidence in the Court and the total independence of its members".
On the statement by Lord Collins of Mapesbury that he had resigned from the Court because of the political situation in Hong Kong, Mr Lee said, "I must stress that the large-scale riots and Hong Kong version of 'colour revolution' in 2019 seriously threatened national security and the safety of the HKSAR. To plug the loophole of Hong Kong's near-vacuum of national security laws at the time, the Central Government promulgated and implemented the Hong Kong National Security Law, and the HKSAR also completed the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law, enacting the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. Meanwhile, the human rights and freedoms that Hong Kong residents enjoy are protected in accordance with the law. The provisions of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance all explicitly stipulate that the rights and freedoms under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) as applied to Hong Kong, including the freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, are to be protected in accordance with the law."
"Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the political system of Hong Kong has been under a comprehensive institutional arrangement under the Basic Law. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, and the systems and powers of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are clearly stated in the Basic Law. The rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, including those stipulated in the ICCPR, the ICESCR and international labour conventions, are also clearly stated in the Basic Law. These systems have remained unchanged since the promulgation and implementation of the Basic Law, and will not change in the future. As reiterated by President Xi Jinping in his important speeches, 'there is no reason for us to change such a good policy, and we must adhere to it in the long run'."
"Hong Kong has transitioned from chaos to order. That did not change the human rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens in accordance with the law. Nor did it change the courts' exercise of independent judicial power, free from any interference. The only difference is that national security is now better safeguarded, the safety and stability of Hong Kong is now better upheld, and citizens' good living and working environment is now better ensured."
​The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (June 7) said that the Secretary for Justice, as the guardian of public interest and the due administration of justice, always endeavors to uphold the rule of law in Hong Kong and ensures that the courts are free from interference in the exercise of their independent judicial power, and indeed they are.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) expresses regret at the resignation of two overseas Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal, but is grateful to their past contribution. Nevertheless, this incident will not shaken or impair DoJ's determination and confidence in upholding the rule of law, including the independent judicial power exercised by the courts. Members of the general public and friends who care about Hong Kong should show their appreciation, and give their full support and encouragement, to all the local and foreign judges and judicial officers who continue to discharge their duties faithfully, dutifully and fearlessly.
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal notes with regret the resignations of Lord Collins of Mapesbury and Lord Sumption as Non-Permanent Judges (NPJs) of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (CFA).
Under the Basic Law, the power of final adjudication of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is vested in the CFA, which may as required invite judges from other common law jurisdictions to sit on the Court. Since the CFA's establishment in 1997, overseas NPJs have played a significant role in the work of the Court and sat on most of the substantive appeals that it has heard. Over the years, overseas NPJs, including Lords Collins and Sumption, have made valuable contributions to the work of the Court for which we in Hong Kong are very grateful.
The Chief Justice reiterates the Judiciary's commitment to upholding the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong guaranteed under the Basic Law. All judges and judicial officers will continue to abide by the Judicial Oath and administer justice in full accordance with the law, without fear or favour, self-interest or deceit.
There are currently four local NPJs and eight NPJs from other common law jurisdictions in the CFA. Two of the overseas NPJs were appointed last year and in May this year respectively. Suitable candidates from overseas common law jurisdictions will continue to be appointed to the Court as NPJs.
The Chief Justice has complete confidence that the CFA will continue to fully perform its constitutional role as the final appellate court in Hong Kong. Its operation will not be affected by any change in membership of the Court.
This is a statement issued by the Chief Justice on behalf of himself and of the Permanent Judges of the CFA.
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
In response to media enquiries, the Judiciary confirms that Lord Collins of Mapesbury and Lord Sumption, non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions of the Court of Final Appeal, have tendered their respective resignations to the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal will shortly issue a statement in response to the two judges' resignations.