Chow Hang-tung prize flouts rule of law spirit: govt
The government on Wednesday lashed out against France and Germany for issuing a human rights award to national security suspect Chow Hang-tung, accusing the countries of flouting the spirit of the rule of law and interfering in local affairs. Chow, a barrister and former vice-chairwoman of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, was one of 12 winners of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law. In a statement, the government expressed its “strong disapproval of and firm opposition” to the foreign ministries of the two countries over the move. It also urged them to "respect the spirit of the rule of law, abide by the international law and basic norms that govern international relations", and "immediately stop interfering in the affairs of Hong Kong". "Chow Hang-tung is facing a criminal prosecution of 'incitement to subversion' and the case has been committed to the Court of First Instance of the High Court awaiting trial. The judicial proceedings of the case are still ongoing, but the ministries of foreign affairs of France and Germany have issued the so-called prize to Chow Hang-tung in the name of 'human rights' and the 'rule of law', which is obviously contrary to the spirit of respecting the rule of law," a government spokesperson said. "Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers held accountable, and is well recognised by international communities. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies take law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law against those who endanger national security." The spokesperson said the National Security Law clearly spells out that human rights shall be respected and protected, adding that the government will continue to suppress and punish acts and activities that endanger national security.