The Judiciary today strongly condemned any attempt to exert improper pressure, including suggestions about imposing sanctions, on judges and judicial officers (JJOs), stressing that it considered any such attempts a flagrant and direct affront to the rule of law, judicial independence and the JJOs.

With the rule of law and judicial independence guaranteed under the Basic Law, the Judiciary pointed out that the constitutional duty of JJOs is to exercise their judicial power independently and professionally in every case strictly on the basis of the law and evidence, and nothing else.

All JJOs, including designated judges under the National Security Law, must also abide by the Judicial Oath to administer justice in full accordance with the law, and without fear, favour, self-interest or deceit.

The Judiciary also noted that although JJOs cannot control what cases are brought before them, once a case is brought before the court, it must be dealt with by the court strictly in accordance with law.

Exercising judicial power independently, all JJOs will continue to abide by the Judicial Oath and firmly discharge their duties in the administration of justice, without fear from intimidation, the Judiciary reiterated.