Former Bar Association chairman probed by national security police

Former Bar Association chairman Paul Harris was questioned by police on Tuesday in a national security investigation. 

Harris arrived at the Police Headquarters in Wan Chai at around 11am. He left the police station after staying two hours, after which he declined to answer reporters' questions. 

Harris was questioned for his involvement in the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor - a human rights group founded by him, according to sources.

The Bar Association told The Standard on Tuesday that they are looking into the matter and will not comment at this stage.

The veteran human rights barrister has long been targeted by pro-Beijing forces, after he spoke out against the jailing of several pro-democracy activists.

Harris had previously challenged the prison terms handed down to media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and others for taking part in an unauthorized assembly during anti-government demonstrations in 2019, and also defended the right to peaceful protests.

He was also critical of the national security law during his term as Bar chief, which he said the legislation is not consistent with the rule of law, calling on the government to amend and limit the use of the law.

Beijing’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong had since accused him of being an “anti-Chinese politician with close foreign connections," and questioned his legitimacy as the Bar Association’s chairman.

Harris took up the helm of the Bar Association on January 21 last year after being nominated by veteran pro-democracy activist Martin Lee Chu-ming and Queen's Counsel Lawrence Lok Ying-kam.

He did not seek another term and had stepped down from the position in January this year.

Harris was also a councilor at the Oxford City Council, representing St Margaret in Britain, before taking up his role at the association.