#Judiciary #Justice #RuleofLaw
Hong Kong judges battle Beijing over rule of law as pandemic chills protests
//Hong Kong’s judicial system is under increasing duress as signs grow that the Communist Party leadership in Beijing wants to bring the city’s courts to heel. Three senior judges told Reuters the independence of the judiciary is now under threat...
A retired senior judge, speaking on condition of anonymity, said while the mainland is clearly trying to pressure Hong Kong’s judiciary, it doesn’t amount to an existential threat to the rule of law. The test, the former judge said, would be if the legal system succumbed to these pressures. “I have not seen that.”
...Some people close to [current Chief Justice Geoffrey] Ma say that while he hasn't been pushed to leave, the constant battle to safeguard the judiciary has worn on him. His job includes dealing with visiting mainland judges and briefings from locally based Chinese officials, which can be tough going, these people say.
While they apparently know better than to meddle in individual cases, say the people close to Ma, the Chinese judges and officials constantly seek to push Beijing's “patriotic” agenda by stressing the importance of the judiciary in defending China's sovereignty and national security...
Another of the justices told Reuters he is concerned that a generational shift underway on the bench could leave it starved of judges strong enough to withstand meddling in the years ahead.
“Pressures will build on the new judicial leaders,” the judge said. “Some of us doubt that they will be able to withstand those pressures as previous generations have done. We just have to hope they can,” the judge said. “The rule of law will depend on it.”//
Source: Reuters #Apr14
Read the Full Article:
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/hongkong-politics-judiciary/
Hong Kong judges battle Beijing over rule of law as pandemic chills protests
//Hong Kong’s judicial system is under increasing duress as signs grow that the Communist Party leadership in Beijing wants to bring the city’s courts to heel. Three senior judges told Reuters the independence of the judiciary is now under threat...
A retired senior judge, speaking on condition of anonymity, said while the mainland is clearly trying to pressure Hong Kong’s judiciary, it doesn’t amount to an existential threat to the rule of law. The test, the former judge said, would be if the legal system succumbed to these pressures. “I have not seen that.”
...Some people close to [current Chief Justice Geoffrey] Ma say that while he hasn't been pushed to leave, the constant battle to safeguard the judiciary has worn on him. His job includes dealing with visiting mainland judges and briefings from locally based Chinese officials, which can be tough going, these people say.
While they apparently know better than to meddle in individual cases, say the people close to Ma, the Chinese judges and officials constantly seek to push Beijing's “patriotic” agenda by stressing the importance of the judiciary in defending China's sovereignty and national security...
Another of the justices told Reuters he is concerned that a generational shift underway on the bench could leave it starved of judges strong enough to withstand meddling in the years ahead.
“Pressures will build on the new judicial leaders,” the judge said. “Some of us doubt that they will be able to withstand those pressures as previous generations have done. We just have to hope they can,” the judge said. “The rule of law will depend on it.”//
Source: Reuters #Apr14
Read the Full Article:
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/hongkong-politics-judiciary/
Reuters
Hong Kong judges battle Beijing on rule of law as virus halts protests
Hong Kong’s judicial system is under increasing duress as signs grow that the Communist Party leadership in Beijing wants to bring the city’s courts to heel.
District council newcomer calls on democrats to stand firm and wrestle against injustice and government oppression
Lam Chun is a typical post-90s. He worked in a local bank after grauduating from university. The Umbrella Revolution in 2014 altered the course of his life, forcing him to rethink his goals in life: “Living the life of the middle class, owning a car and property, might be the dream of many, but this is not what I want.”
Source: InMedia #Apr14
#Article23 #DistrictCouncil #UmbrellaRevolution #AntiELAB
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Lam Chun is a typical post-90s. He worked in a local bank after grauduating from university. The Umbrella Revolution in 2014 altered the course of his life, forcing him to rethink his goals in life: “Living the life of the middle class, owning a car and property, might be the dream of many, but this is not what I want.”
Source: InMedia #Apr14
#Article23 #DistrictCouncil #UmbrellaRevolution #AntiELAB
Continue reading
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District council newcomer calls on democrats to stand firm and wrestle against injustice and government oppression
Lam Chun is a typical post-90s. He worked in a local bank after grauduating from university. The Umbrella Revolution in 2014 altered the course of his life, forcing him to rethink his goals in life: “Living the life of the middle class, owning a car and property, might be the dream of many, but this is not what I want.”
During the 79-day occupy movement in 2014, Lam took leave, ditched work and showed up at the demonstration site almost every day. As the Movement faded out and universal suffrage lost prospect, authoritarian governance augmented. “I questioned myself, did I miss anything? Why is there no reward?”
Witnessing the same scene in the same place on June 12 2019, Lam assisted volunteer medics in transporting the injured civilians from the orotest zone. At that moment, he decided to quit his job and dedicated to the protest work so that he won’t regret later.
Later on, Lam took part in the District Council election in his home district, Shui Wah, where he stumped out the incumbent councillor who was a member of the Liberal Party.
“It is important to make an outright political stance showing people that you would never forget where you started,” Lam explained. The most important thing of a politician is to make known of his viewpoint. “To be a liar or to be stupid?” He reiterated that under the authoritarian rule, showing a firm stance is to lead by example to stimulate public concern and buy-in. “Supporters of Article 23 should reflect on what has happened in Hong Kong. Many pro-establishment supporters do not understand the vile behind the Article. They risk betraying Hong Kong for some trivial benefits.”
Lam pointed out that politicians must stand up for their beliefs, no matter how much it costs to display ond's political stance. He said, “if all democrats stand up for their values and flaunt their stance, the Home Affairs [a government department overlooking district council affairs] won’t dare to disqualify them all.”
“Fight and wrestle! If one gives up wrestling, one is no different from a dead fish,” Lam cited a staunch statement made by Wu Lik-wai, a fitness trainer amidst the outbreak of Wuhan Pneumonia. Lam believed that “the Home Affairs Department has been reduced to the talon and teeth of the government, assisting and taking the lead to scrutinize political stance of district councillors.”
Source: InMedia
https://bit.ly/2yO2soh
#Apr14 #Article23 #DistrictCouncil #UmbrellaRevolution #AntiELAB #Fight
Lam Chun is a typical post-90s. He worked in a local bank after grauduating from university. The Umbrella Revolution in 2014 altered the course of his life, forcing him to rethink his goals in life: “Living the life of the middle class, owning a car and property, might be the dream of many, but this is not what I want.”
During the 79-day occupy movement in 2014, Lam took leave, ditched work and showed up at the demonstration site almost every day. As the Movement faded out and universal suffrage lost prospect, authoritarian governance augmented. “I questioned myself, did I miss anything? Why is there no reward?”
Witnessing the same scene in the same place on June 12 2019, Lam assisted volunteer medics in transporting the injured civilians from the orotest zone. At that moment, he decided to quit his job and dedicated to the protest work so that he won’t regret later.
Later on, Lam took part in the District Council election in his home district, Shui Wah, where he stumped out the incumbent councillor who was a member of the Liberal Party.
“It is important to make an outright political stance showing people that you would never forget where you started,” Lam explained. The most important thing of a politician is to make known of his viewpoint. “To be a liar or to be stupid?” He reiterated that under the authoritarian rule, showing a firm stance is to lead by example to stimulate public concern and buy-in. “Supporters of Article 23 should reflect on what has happened in Hong Kong. Many pro-establishment supporters do not understand the vile behind the Article. They risk betraying Hong Kong for some trivial benefits.”
Lam pointed out that politicians must stand up for their beliefs, no matter how much it costs to display ond's political stance. He said, “if all democrats stand up for their values and flaunt their stance, the Home Affairs [a government department overlooking district council affairs] won’t dare to disqualify them all.”
“Fight and wrestle! If one gives up wrestling, one is no different from a dead fish,” Lam cited a staunch statement made by Wu Lik-wai, a fitness trainer amidst the outbreak of Wuhan Pneumonia. Lam believed that “the Home Affairs Department has been reduced to the talon and teeth of the government, assisting and taking the lead to scrutinize political stance of district councillors.”
Source: InMedia
https://bit.ly/2yO2soh
#Apr14 #Article23 #DistrictCouncil #UmbrellaRevolution #AntiELAB #Fight
#CoronavirusPandemic #InternationalRelations
Russia, China and the European Union vie in Serbia
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, rival powers are deploying soft power and aid to advance their own foreign policy goals in Belgrade, major players are looking to use soft power and aid to fulfil their foreign policy goals.
//First, the Chinese came to Belgrade, with planeloads of equipment and six medical experts to help coordinate national coronavirus policy. An emotional Serbian president kissed the Chinese flag in gratitude and slammed Europe for its lack of assistance; For China, it is changing the narrative to present the country as the solution to COVID-19, not its cause.//
//For Russia, it is using more modest resources for maximum effect, with Russian military vehicles driving through Italy or a planeload of equipment dispatched to the US partly produced by a sanctioned company.//
//For the EU, it is trying to prove that talk of European values and solidarity is not just empty words.//
//The Americans, focused internally under US President Donald Trump’s administration, have largely been absent from the COVID-19 diplomacy game.//
// Serbian officials said the Chinese experts, who have remained in the country, are now running the government’s coronavirus policy. Serbia is following the Chinese model of isolating even mild cases of COVID-19 in large field hospitals, rather than trusting people to self-isolate.//
//A survey carried out in December last year showed that many Serbs believed Russia or China to be the country’s largest donor over the past two decades, while in fact the EU had given about 100 times more than either.//
Source: Taipei Times #Apr14
Full Article:
https://taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2020/04/14/2003734593
#Serbia #China #Russia #Coronavirus #MedicalSupplies
Russia, China and the European Union vie in Serbia
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, rival powers are deploying soft power and aid to advance their own foreign policy goals in Belgrade, major players are looking to use soft power and aid to fulfil their foreign policy goals.
//First, the Chinese came to Belgrade, with planeloads of equipment and six medical experts to help coordinate national coronavirus policy. An emotional Serbian president kissed the Chinese flag in gratitude and slammed Europe for its lack of assistance; For China, it is changing the narrative to present the country as the solution to COVID-19, not its cause.//
//For Russia, it is using more modest resources for maximum effect, with Russian military vehicles driving through Italy or a planeload of equipment dispatched to the US partly produced by a sanctioned company.//
//For the EU, it is trying to prove that talk of European values and solidarity is not just empty words.//
//The Americans, focused internally under US President Donald Trump’s administration, have largely been absent from the COVID-19 diplomacy game.//
// Serbian officials said the Chinese experts, who have remained in the country, are now running the government’s coronavirus policy. Serbia is following the Chinese model of isolating even mild cases of COVID-19 in large field hospitals, rather than trusting people to self-isolate.//
//A survey carried out in December last year showed that many Serbs believed Russia or China to be the country’s largest donor over the past two decades, while in fact the EU had given about 100 times more than either.//
Source: Taipei Times #Apr14
Full Article:
https://taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2020/04/14/2003734593
#Serbia #China #Russia #Coronavirus #MedicalSupplies
Taipeitimes
Virus Outbreak: Russia, China and the EU vie in Serbia - Taipei Times
First, the Chinese came to Belgrade, with planeloads of equipment and six medical experts to help coordinate national coronavirus policy. An emotional Serbian president kissed the Chinese flag in gratitude and slammed Europe for its lack of assistance.
Then…
Then…
Will Japan Confront China? A Visit to Washington May Offer a Clue.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is the first foreign leader to be invited to the Biden White House, where he is likely to be pressed to more fully address Beijing’s threat to stability in the region.
TOKYO — As he visits Washington this week, it would seem as if Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan could take a victory lap.
Mr. Suga is the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House by President Biden, who has vowed to reinvigorate alliances. Japan already had the distinction last month of being the first international destination for the new U.S. secretaries of state and defense. And Mr. Suga will not have to contend with threats of higher tariffs or the need for constant flattery that drove Mr. Biden’s mercurial predecessor.
Source: Times #Apr14
#Japan #China #Biden #WhiteHouse #Beijing
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/world/asia/suga-biden-japan-washington.html
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is the first foreign leader to be invited to the Biden White House, where he is likely to be pressed to more fully address Beijing’s threat to stability in the region.
TOKYO — As he visits Washington this week, it would seem as if Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan could take a victory lap.
Mr. Suga is the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House by President Biden, who has vowed to reinvigorate alliances. Japan already had the distinction last month of being the first international destination for the new U.S. secretaries of state and defense. And Mr. Suga will not have to contend with threats of higher tariffs or the need for constant flattery that drove Mr. Biden’s mercurial predecessor.
Source: Times #Apr14
#Japan #China #Biden #WhiteHouse #Beijing
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/world/asia/suga-biden-japan-washington.html
#Brainwash
Hong Kong hails ‘de-radicalisation’ #rehab programmes for 2019 protesters in custody
//Hong Kong’s Security Bureau has hailed the use of voluntary “de-radicalisation” programmes for demonstrators behind bars who were involved in the 2019 pro-democracy protests and unrest.
Since 2019, more than 10,000 people have been arrested and over 2,000 have been charged over the demonstrations.
Around 250 people in custody have taken part up until February 2022.
The Correctional Services Department’s rehabilitation programmes aim to help inmates “disengage from radical thoughts and behaviours, and re-establish correct values,” through lessons about Chinese history, the Basic Law and the national security law, the Bureau wrote.
Other initiatives include workshops to help persons in custody enhance their sense of national identity and law-abidingness...//
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Apr14
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/04/14/hong-kong-hails-de-radicalisation-rehab-programmes-for-2019-protesters-in-custody/
Hong Kong hails ‘de-radicalisation’ #rehab programmes for 2019 protesters in custody
//Hong Kong’s Security Bureau has hailed the use of voluntary “de-radicalisation” programmes for demonstrators behind bars who were involved in the 2019 pro-democracy protests and unrest.
Since 2019, more than 10,000 people have been arrested and over 2,000 have been charged over the demonstrations.
Around 250 people in custody have taken part up until February 2022.
The Correctional Services Department’s rehabilitation programmes aim to help inmates “disengage from radical thoughts and behaviours, and re-establish correct values,” through lessons about Chinese history, the Basic Law and the national security law, the Bureau wrote.
Other initiatives include workshops to help persons in custody enhance their sense of national identity and law-abidingness...//
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Apr14
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/04/14/hong-kong-hails-de-radicalisation-rehab-programmes-for-2019-protesters-in-custody/
Business connections of John Lee’s sons with CE electors revealed
Source: Factwire #Apr14
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Source: Factwire #Apr14
Read more
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#Solidarity #Conscience
Hongkongers flock to support pro-democracy bubble tea shop despite #NationalSecurityPolice Presence
Source: Inmediahk, #Apr14
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Hongkongers flock to support pro-democracy bubble tea shop despite #NationalSecurityPolice Presence
Source: Inmediahk, #Apr14
Read more
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#Solidarity #Conscience
Hongkongers flock to support pro-democracy bubble tea shop despite #NationalSecurityPolice Presence
In Hong Kong, two staff members of #RoyalTea, a bubble tea shop in Mong Kok that is known for its pro-democracy stance, were taken away by the police on April 11, 2022 to "assist with an investigation".
When the shop reopened on April 14, 2022, about 10 customers patronized it in the first 15 minutes.
A regular customer who came to show support said that the bubble tea shop could be forced to close down for making known its pro-democracy stance.
"I would do whatever I can to show my support when the shop still opens."
A British student in Hong Kong, Sam visited RoyalTea for the first time. Sam said, althought he doesn't know the local political situation well, he has witnessed "a lot of political changes going on in Hong Kong" in the past year. Sam said that the community has been "oppressed".
Sam is hoping to show his support for those still clinging tight to their beliefs in Hong Kong.
Jessica, one of the two staff members being taken away by the police for "investigation" said she felt "terrified and lost" during police investigation.
However, she asked the supporters of the shop not to worry. She also wishes Hongkongers to stay blissful and hopeful for freedom.
Source: Inmediahk, #Apr14
https://bit.ly/3KKGK4H
#Oppression #ScareTactics #Regime #PoliceState
Hongkongers flock to support pro-democracy bubble tea shop despite #NationalSecurityPolice Presence
In Hong Kong, two staff members of #RoyalTea, a bubble tea shop in Mong Kok that is known for its pro-democracy stance, were taken away by the police on April 11, 2022 to "assist with an investigation".
When the shop reopened on April 14, 2022, about 10 customers patronized it in the first 15 minutes.
A regular customer who came to show support said that the bubble tea shop could be forced to close down for making known its pro-democracy stance.
"I would do whatever I can to show my support when the shop still opens."
A British student in Hong Kong, Sam visited RoyalTea for the first time. Sam said, althought he doesn't know the local political situation well, he has witnessed "a lot of political changes going on in Hong Kong" in the past year. Sam said that the community has been "oppressed".
Sam is hoping to show his support for those still clinging tight to their beliefs in Hong Kong.
Jessica, one of the two staff members being taken away by the police for "investigation" said she felt "terrified and lost" during police investigation.
However, she asked the supporters of the shop not to worry. She also wishes Hongkongers to stay blissful and hopeful for freedom.
Source: Inmediahk, #Apr14
https://bit.ly/3KKGK4H
#Oppression #ScareTactics #Regime #PoliceState
#AntiELAB #HKJudicature #Injustice
Being re-arrested after 3 years, Mr. Yeung laments living in shadows, and hopes the legal expenses can be covered by book selling
Mr Yeung Chi-Chun, the former teacher of Liberal Studies at a secondary school, whose eyesight was damaged by a bullet from the police on #Jun122019 at #Admiralty, was arrested yesterday (#Apr14) and charged with two crimes of unauthorised assembly.
After releasing from the bail, Yeung indicates on a Facebook post that he has prepared to be re-arrested due to the judicial review application on police identification number, showing his presence at Admiralty on June 12, 2019, but he will remain in Hong Kong despites living in the shadows. And that judicial review case has indeed become part of the evidence supplied by the prosecutors.
He is operating a publishing company, #HillwayCulture, and invites people to support his legal expenses by purchasing his book. The special edition of his book is expected to be published before July 21, the day before his trial. He said, "road is obstructed and long, but will eventually come to an end by perseverance".
Yeung describes the arrest process that he was informed about the charge against him and was asked to do a home search. He did not make a recorded statement but be on court on the same day with conditioned bail – 100,000 HK dollars, travel documents and reporting to the police three times a week.
Source: Inmedia #Apr15
https://bit.ly/37P5EBE
Being re-arrested after 3 years, Mr. Yeung laments living in shadows, and hopes the legal expenses can be covered by book selling
Mr Yeung Chi-Chun, the former teacher of Liberal Studies at a secondary school, whose eyesight was damaged by a bullet from the police on #Jun122019 at #Admiralty, was arrested yesterday (#Apr14) and charged with two crimes of unauthorised assembly.
After releasing from the bail, Yeung indicates on a Facebook post that he has prepared to be re-arrested due to the judicial review application on police identification number, showing his presence at Admiralty on June 12, 2019, but he will remain in Hong Kong despites living in the shadows. And that judicial review case has indeed become part of the evidence supplied by the prosecutors.
He is operating a publishing company, #HillwayCulture, and invites people to support his legal expenses by purchasing his book. The special edition of his book is expected to be published before July 21, the day before his trial. He said, "road is obstructed and long, but will eventually come to an end by perseverance".
Yeung describes the arrest process that he was informed about the charge against him and was asked to do a home search. He did not make a recorded statement but be on court on the same day with conditioned bail – 100,000 HK dollars, travel documents and reporting to the police three times a week.
Source: Inmedia #Apr15
https://bit.ly/37P5EBE