The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today said it strongly disapproves of and rejects smearing comments made by the US and some western countries regarding the specification of absconders and specific measures applicable against them by the Secretary for Security in accordance with the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance recently.

In a statement responding to media enquiries, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the legal framework in safeguarding national security in the city is fully in compliance with the international standard for the protection of human rights.

It added that individuals endangering national security often abscond overseas to evade criminal liability, and continue to endanger national security through various means.

The specified measures aim at addressing, combating, deterring and preventing acts of abscondment, and procuring the return of absconded persons to Hong Kong to face law enforcement and judicial proceedings, the statement explained.

It also pointed out that people with ulterior motives in the US and some western countries deliberately smeared and spread irresponsible remarks in an attempt to mislead the public, and the Hong Kong SAR Government strongly disapproves of such acts.

Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong and they will ultimately be liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be sanctioned by the law.

The measures under section 96 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance seek to regard an absconder’s Hong Kong SAR passport as being cancelled and the application for a Hong Kong SAR passport by the absconder as being invalid.

All specified measures align with human rights requirements and quite a number of countries, including the US, the UK and Canada, would also impose such measures on wanted criminals.

It is a demonstration of hypocrisy with double standards by any external forces or people with ulterior motives that, after the Hong Kong SAR Government has announced the relevant measures, attack the city in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law.

The Constitution and the Basic Law steadfastly safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people. Any attempt by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong's situation will only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to unwaveringly discharge its duty in safeguarding national security.