Paul Lam questions US threats and affirms judicial independence

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, during a radio program on Saturday, expressed concerns over what he perceives as attempts by the United States to undermine Hong Kong's judicial system through threats of sanctions against local judges.

His comments follow the resignation of Australian judge Robert French from his position as a non-permanent judge on Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal.

While speaking on the radio program, Lam emphasized that the provisions of the Basic Law concerning the appointment and adjudication processes of judges have remained unchanged, ensuring the judiciary's independence in their decision-making. He highlighted the transparency of court trials and dismissed any evidence of external pressures on judges.

The justice chief also defended the value of having foreign judges in Hong Kong, citing the international reputation of Hong Kong's common law system as a significant advantage.

He reassured that the National Security Law, which has been in effect for over a year, has led to only a few prosecutions. These cases involve extreme behaviors rather than everyday activities or minor inadvertent errors.

Reflecting on the 2019 protests, Lam described the city's then state of preparedness for national security challenges as lacking essential tools, metaphorically stating the city had "no spanners or screwdrivers" when needed. He stressed the importance of continually enhancing Hong Kong's "toolbox" to address various situations and ensure readiness without being caught unprepared.