CE Rejects Independent Probe Into Protest, Amnesty

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday rejected a call for an independent commission of inquiry to look into the anti-extradition protests as well as the granting of an amnesty for all protesters – two of the key demands of those involved in the campaign.

On Tuesday, former Chief Justice Andrew Li also wrote in a newspaper column that a probe was needed to heal the rift in society. He had called for a panel headed by a judge to look into the saga, but had backed Lam to continue as CE.

"While I respect the views of the honourable Andrew Li and also thank him for his support for me to continue to serve Hong Kong, I am afraid on this particular issue of an independent COI [commission of Inquiry], the view has been taken for the IPCC to perform this role in accordance with its statutory functions under the ordinance in order to provide a report on what has happened during that period," she said.

She repeated that she has asked the IPCC to submit a report within six months, and to make it public as soon as practicable.

Lam also dismissed the call by protesters to drop all prosecutions against those who have been arrested or charged.

"Any demand that we should grant an amnesty at this stage, in other words we will not follow up on investigations and prosecutions of the offenders, is not acceptable," Lam said. "Because that bluntly goes against the rule of law in Hong Kong."

The Chief Executive also said such action would be against the principles of the Basic Law, which say no one should interfere with the justice department's decisions on prosecutions.