CE rejects double standards

January 12, 2021

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

 

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today called on the international community not to adopt double standards for the Mainland and Hong Kong’s internal affairs.

 

Ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam made the remarks in response to the international community’s comments on the arrest of people suspected of violating the National Security Law.

 

“Having regard to the recent incidents that have happened in the United States, when we mentioned the double standards being adopted by overseas officials and politicians when they commented on incidents in Hong Kong, the first double standard is the importance of national security.

 

“Why should Hong Kong not have the safeguards on national security when jurisdictions all over the world have a series of legislation to safeguard their own national security? Are they suggesting that the safety of Hong Kong people is of lesser significance and importance than American citizens in American society? 

 

“So the first double standard that they have adopted is they uphold their own national security, but at the same time, belittle the need for national security in the People's Republic of China, especially in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.”

 

Mrs Lam said that the second double standard is related to the rule of law.

 

“The rule of law requires enforcement of the law and the keeping of law and order in a city in order to safeguard the life and property of citizens. 

 

“But since June 2019, everybody has seen what happened in Hong Kong, we had rampant violence and riots undermining the safety of Hong Kong people, properties and businesses, but some overseas commentators or politicians were sort of condoning or encouraging these sorts of activities under the guise of democracy.

 

“But when the same thing seemed to happen in their own country, they immediately took a very different approach to condemn the violence. Some said that this was verging on sedition in American society.

 

“Now the third double standard, of course, is respect for the judicial system. I think all over the world, if we talk about the rule of law, one of the most important fundamentals is the courts, the independence of the courts, as well as the quality of our judges. Hong Kong is very blessed to have a very distinguished judiciary, supported by very distinguished judges.

 

“I would really appeal - especially since we had a new Chief Justice installed yesterday - I would appeal to the community at large to leave room for the courts to do their work, which is to uphold justice in Hong Kong without fear, favour, self-interest or deceit.”

 

The Chief Executive added that the arrests were made in accordance with the law and not based on the political stance of those arrested.

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