Hong Kong ‘judicial independence intact’

Hong Kong’s judicial independence remains intact after the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, and foreign accusations and smear campaigns in this regard are baseless, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah said on March 30.

Her remarks came as the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom announced the withdrawal of all of its serving judges from Hong Kong’s

Court of Final Appeal, which is the special administrative region’s top court. The British Parliament also alleged that Hong Kong’s judicial independence has been affected by the security law’s enactment.

“The National Security Law does not in any way affect Hong Kong’s judicial independence, which is guaranteed in the Basic Law,” Cheng said.

The Basic Law ensures the security of tenure of judges and offers them immunity from legal action in performing their judicial functions.