Hong Kong's justice minister Paul Lam has refuted 'unfounded' accusations against judges in national security cases, stressing that they fulfilled their duties and judicial independence remains strong. In a speech marking the start of the legal year, he slammed threats of sanctions against the city's judges and illegitimate pressures on overseas judges to resign. Chief Justice Andrew Cheung noted that geopolitical tensions are hindering recruitment of overseas non-permanent judges to the Court of Final Appeal.
At a ceremony on Monday marking the start of the legal year, Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok refuted 'unfounded' accusations against the judiciary in several high-profile national security cases. He stated that none of the judges failed to fulfil their duties and that judicial independence remains strong.
Lam reviewed the judges' performance in national security cases over the past year, stressing that they treated defendants fairly by not preventing them from giving evidence, making submissions, or cross-examining witnesses unless there was a good and sufficient legal reason. 'Some might opine that the proceedings have taken a long time. I would say the time was well spent and necessary to ensure that there was a fair trial to all parties concerned,' he said. He also noted that the judgments were comprehensive and supported by abundant evidence.
In a press conference following the ceremony, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung said geopolitical tensions remain a hurdle in recruiting overseas non-permanent judges to the Court of Final Appeal (CFA), as pressures in their home countries often dissuade them.
Lam further slammed threats of sanctions against Hong Kong's judges and 'illegitimate pressures' on overseas judges to resign. These remarks highlight the international scrutiny facing Hong Kong's judiciary amid the implementation of national security laws.
