John Lee condemns US bill in strongest way
The Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday said he condemns, in the strongest way, a bill introduced by American lawmakers to sanction officials, judges, and prosecutors in the SAR. The Hong Kong Sanctions Act targets 49 people involved in the implementation of the national security law here - including the Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, the Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, and the Police Commissioner Raymond Siu, as well as a number of judges and prosecutors. Speaking to reporters before leaving for the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Lee accused US politicians of trying to pervert the course of justice by intimidating SAR judges. "[The US lawmakers are] trying to influence them, as they hear cases fairly and impartially, and trying to affect their judgement. This seriously obstructs the course of justice and such action not only violates the rule of law, but also violates the United States' self-proclaimed judicial independence, which they say is protected by their constitution," he said. "Of course I deeply believe the judges, prosecutors, and officials in Hong Kong will discharge their duties without fear; especially the judges, who are professional and will try cases in a fair and just manner according to their oaths." The CE also described the US politicians as "hypocritical" and "barbaric". Meanwhile, the Secretary for Justice, Paul Lam, has accused the American lawmakers of having double standards, saying they claim to respect the rule of law but are trying to damage the judicial system in Hong Kong.  The minister said he, and others, would not be intimidated by possible sanctions against them. "We will not be afraid, we will not quit; nor will we sit here and let them bully us," he told a radio programme. Lam said it was "vicious" that the bill was also targeting judges who had retired; as well as a barrister hired to represent the Hong Kong government, saying he hoped lawyers would not be scared into not taking up jobs from the SAR administration.