Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said the Independent Police Complaints Council’s (IPCC) thematic report on the public order events arising from the fugitive bill is comprehensive, objective, fact-based and weighty.

She made the response following the council’s submission of its Thematic Study Report on the Public Order Events arising from the Fugitive Offenders Bill since June 2019 and the Police Actions in Response.

Mrs Lam said: “When the IPCC decided to undertake a proactive study in July last year, I welcomed its decision at that time and pledged that the Government would fully co-operate with the IPCC.

"The IPCC has examined a large volume of information and has made detailed and objective representation of facts in the report. The report is comprehensive, objective, fact-based and weighty.”

She added the Government accepts the 52 recommendations proposed by the council.

“I have requested the Secretary for Security to set up a task force and to supervise it personally to study and follow up on every recommendation, as well as to consult the IPCC when necessary and report to me on a regular basis.”

Mrs Lam also considered that Police can accord priority to dealing with several areas of the recommendations, including media arrangements in large-scale public order events, co-ordination among Police themselves and with other departments, dissemination of information to the public, temporary detention facilities and police identification.

“The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success, and one of the indispensable elements of the rule of law is that members of the public have to abide by the law."

The Chief Executive stressed that she, the Government and Police will resolutely say no to any violation of the law, and ensure that citizens will continue to enjoy their freedoms and rights within the legal boundaries.

She thanked IPCC Chairman Anthony Neoh, all council members and the secretariat for their hard work in preparing the report over the past few months.