At the 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Wednesday, Hong Kong’s Deputy Secretary for Justice, Cheung Kwok-kwan, defended the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). He emphasized that any attempts to discredit or undermine the legislation are misguided and highlighted the widespread support it has received from the Hong Kong community.
“We are confident that the legislation will bring about a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong, with the rights and freedoms enjoyed in accordance with the law fully protected, as always,” Cheung stated during his speech at the UNHRC session.
Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law mandates Hong Kong to enact its own laws to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, or subversion against the Central People’s Government. Cheung asserted that the recently passed legislation will better protect the country from genuine threats to national security amidst increasingly intricate geopolitics.
He emphasized that the legislation “fully aligns with the principles of international laws and practices,” noting that “each and every sovereign state, including China, has an inherent right to enact laws to safeguard its national security.” Cheung compared Hong Kong’s efforts to other countries, citing that the United States has at least 21 pieces of national security legislation, the United Kingdom has at least 14, Canada has at least nine, and Singapore has at least six.
Cheung also criticized comments by some countries and organizations, stating that they “are made in complete disregard of basic jurisprudence and facts, and demonstrate nothing more than double standards and sophistry.”
He reassured that the legislation clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are to be protected in accordance with the law. “This important principle forms a cornerstone of the legislation and is literally written in the new law,” he added.
Furthermore, Cheung highlighted that the new legislation strictly adheres to the principles of the rule of law. “The laws are certain and clear, and they come with appropriate exceptions and defenses. There is no question of the general public inadvertently violating the law,” he noted.
The deputy secretary expressed optimism that the legislation will lead to a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong, reinforcing its position as a global financial hub and a safe, vibrant city for residents and visitors alike.
Reference(s):
HK official says Article 23 will bring a stable, prosperous future
cgtn.com
