Guardian

Two more British judges resign from Hong Kong’s top court

Jonathan Sumption, one of two UK judges who resigned from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal last week, has warned that the city "is slowly becoming a totalitarian state."

Jonathan Sumption, one of two British judges who resigned from the Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal last week, has warned that the city "is slowly becoming a totalitarian state."

In an opinion piece published in the Financial Times Monday, Sumption alleged that the rule of law in Hong Kong has been "profoundly compromised in any area about which the government feels strongly."

Independent

In an opinion piece published in the Financial Times on Monday, the non-permanent overseas judge alleged that the rule of law in Hong Kong has been "profoundly compromised in any area about which the government feels strongly."

Sumption claimed that Hong Kong authorities were paranoid about dissent, adding the Beijing-imposed National Security Law "severely limits" judicial independence.

Sumption further claimed that Hong Kong authorities were paranoid about political dissent, adding the Beijing-backed National Security Law "severely limits" judicial independence.

He and Lawrence Collins — both former justices of the UK Supreme Court — stepped down after 14 activists were convicted on subversion charges in the Hong Kong 47 case.

BBC News

Jonathan Sumption and Lawrence Collins — former justices of the UK Supreme Court — resigned after a Hong Kong court convicted 14 activists on national security charges after finding them guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion.

On Monday, former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Beverley McLachlin announced that she will also quit Hong Kong's top appeals court when her term expires next month, expressing confidence in her colleagues and their independence.

Reuters

Beverley McLachlin — former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada — announced on Monday that she will step down when her term expires next month, becoming the third overseas judge to quit Hong Kong's top court.

With these departures, Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal now has seven overseas non-permanent judges from common law jurisdictions — three British and four Australians.

The Japan Times

With these departures, Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal now has seven overseas non-permanent judges from common law jurisdictions, including three British and four Australians.

Guardian #4221

Guardian #2237

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These resignations challenge the PRC's narrative that the presence of foreign justices helps sustain Hong Kong's rule of law. After it's clear that the city's national security law is being used to crack down on political dissent, the remaining judges must desist from operating in an oppressive environment — and giving China a false sense of legitimacy — and resign to maintain the integrity of the legal profession and the independence of the courts.

WWW #

The rule of law in Hong Kong is in grave danger

Sumption's claims that Hong Kong is becoming a totalitarian city or that the rule of law is decimated is baseless, politically motivated, and a betrayal against Hong Kong's judges. The city's Basic Law mandates that prosecution and judiciary work independently without any interference. The top court is determined to uphold the rule of law, especially the national security law, which is crucial to maintaining order in Hong Kong.

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera #5316

Hong Kong hits back as UK judge says rule of law ‘profoundly compromised’

There's a 50% chance that Hong Kong will stop being a Special Administrative Region of China by Oct. 4, 2046, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus2

Hong Kong no longer SAR in China

Anthony Kwan/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images

Hong Kong: UK Judge Quits, Says City's Rule of Law 'Compromised'

Court system

China

Freedom & human rights

Sumption's claims that Hong Kong is becoming a totalitarian city or that the rule of law is decimated are baseless, politically motivated, and a betrayal against Hong Kong's judges. The city's Basic Law mandates that prosecution and judiciary work independently without any interference. The top court is determined to uphold the rule of law, especially the national security law, which is crucial to maintaining order in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong: Resigning UK Judge Says City's Rule of Law 'Compromised'

Hong Kong: Resigning UK Judge Quits, Says City's Rule of Law 'Compromised'

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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