'Arrests Are Assault On Freedoms, Rule Of Law'

The arrests of 15 prominent pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong on Saturday in connection with anti-government protests last year is a continuation of an ongoing ‘assault’ on freedoms in the SAR, and may represent an attack on the rule of law itself, according to a joint statement issued by some of the world’s top lawyers.

The statement was issued by the International Bar Association, the Bar Council of England and Wales, the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, the Bar of England & Wales Human Rights Committee and the International Commission of Jurists.

It said the international legal community is “seriously concerned” at the arrests of the democracy campaigners – including media boss Jimmy Lai and one serving, and nine former legislators.

Two of them – lawyers Margaret Ng and Martin Lee – were jointly awarded the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Award last October for their lifelong defence of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

The lawyers’ groups urged the government to drop all charges against all the arrested individuals – noting that the right to peaceful protest is protected under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law – and instead start a constructive dialogue with leaders of the pro-democracy movement.

The arrests “demonstrate the continued assault on the freedom of expression and right to assembly in Hong Kong”, the statement said.

“Indeed, we are gravely concerned that the arrests of senior lawyers and legislators who set out to protect human rights in a non-violent and proportionate manner, and pursuant to both rights granted in both domestic and international legal frameworks, represent an assault on the rule of law itself.”

The 15 people arrested face charges of organising, participating, or publicising unauthorised rallies in Hong Kong between August and October of last year.

They are due to appear in court on May 18.