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Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025
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Justice chief ensures to balance national security and human rights on Article 23 legislation
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok stated Sunday that it is vital to strike a balance between safeguarding national security and human rights as authorities aim to complete the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law this year at the earliest.
Lam said on a radio show that over the last 20 years, the government has been hindered when attempting to take forward the legislation to implement Article 23 to fulfil the constitutional responsibility due to various factors.
He stressed people should not be anxious or fearful about Article 23 without rational analysis, and he believed that calmly discussing how to reach an adequate balance for the legislation is crucial.
Lam gives an example that people advocating Hong Kong independence at the Star Ferry Pier are unwelcome, but ensures that those who call him out on his incompetence will not be affected by the judgment of Article 23.
He added that the current National Security Law is not Article 23's replacement.
He pointed out that as the city takes pride in its judicial freedom, there is no way the authorities would attempt to undermine the advantages, adding that they will explain the law to the citizens after the preliminary proposal is complete.
He stressed people should not be anxious or fearful about Article 23 without rational analysis, and he believed that calmly discussing how to reach an adequate balance for the legislation is crucial.
Lam gives an example that people advocating Hong Kong independence at the Star Ferry Pier are unwelcome, but ensures that those who call him out on his incompetence will not be affected by the judgment of Article 23.
He added that the current National Security Law is not Article 23's replacement.
He pointed out that as the city takes pride in its judicial freedom, there is no way the authorities would attempt to undermine the advantages, adding that they will explain the law to the citizens after the preliminary proposal is complete.
