US and UK politicians' 'unfounded and fact-twisting' claims about national security law dismissed by Hong Kong government
The Hong Kong government has hit out at United States senators and British members of parliament who took aim at the national security law in the run-up to the 26th anniversary of the city's return to Chinese rule.
A government spokesman on Friday accused American and British politicians of making "unfounded and fact-twisting remarks" about the Beijing-imposed legislation, which came into force on June 30, 2020 in the wake of the 2019 social unrest.
"The US and UK politicians wantonly put politics above the rule of law. Their attempts by despicable political manoeuvres to interfere in Hong Kong's law-based governance, and undermine the city's rule of law as well as its prosperity and stability, will only expose their own weaknesses and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail," he said.
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The spokesman said the Western politicians had ignored the impact of the social unrest, which had caused "severe damage to Hong Kong's society, economy and business environment".
He emphasised that any legal proceedings in connection with the national security law were taken based on evidence and had nothing to do with the political stance, background or occupation of those arrested.
"The city's judicial system has always been highly regarded by international communities," he added.
About 30 US senators on Thursday issued a joint statement to condemn human rights abuses said to be related to the national security law.
"The Chinese Communist Party and its acolytes in the Hong Kong government continue their campaign of repression in a once vibrant and international city," the statement said.
"They have arrested pro-democracy activists, prosecuted hundreds of political prisoners, obliterated a legislature chosen by the Hong Kong people and pressured Hong Kong's judicial system to align with Beijing's political prerogatives."
The British House of Commons on Wednesday also held a debate to mark the third anniversary of the legislation.
Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of his party, said "prolonged detention without trial continues to raise serious questions about the existence of the rule of law".
But Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu the same day defended the national security law.
He said there had been "a lot of badmouthing" about the legislation and dismissed suggestions that people could commit a crime unwittingly under the law.
Lee emphasised that prosecution under national security legislation required proof of criminal intent.
The national security law was imposed by Beijing to crack down on secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign organisations.
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
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