Law Society Urges Clarification On Disqualifications

The Law Society said on Friday that the SAR government is "duty bound" to address public concerns about this week's move to oust four pro-democracy lawmakers, as well as the questions thrown up by Beijing's resolution which made the disqualifications possible.

In a statement, the society noted that the legal sector has been deprived of its representation in the council, with Dennis Kwok one of the four lawmakers thrown out.

"To ensure due process, transparency and accountability in all its actions, the HKSAR Government is duty bound to address clearly those concerns, in particular the legal basis on which the disqualification was effected, the impact of such disqualification including depriving the legal sector of its representation in Legco, as well as the legality and propriety of the new protocol that empowers the HKSAR Government to announce the disqualification of any Legco member who falls within the provisions in the decision," the statement said.

The society said the rule of law is one of Hong Kong's greatest strengths and "everyone must ensure that it is not compromised or perceived to have been compromised in any way".

"The Law Society urges the HKSAR Government to address these concerns publicly as a matter of top priority," it added.

On Thursday night, the Bar Association issued a much stronger statement, saying the disqualifications have violated the principle of due process which is an inherent part of the rule of law.