🚀 Hong Kong is gearing up for a brighter future! On Wednesday, at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Cheung Kwok-kwan, Hong Kong's deputy secretary for justice, shared some exciting news. He expressed confidence that the legislation of Article 23 will bring about a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong. 🌇
Cheung emphasized that attempts to discredit or undermine the new legislation are misguided. He noted that the legislative exercise has gained wide support from the Hong Kong community. \"We are confident that the legislation will bring about a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong with the rights and freedoms enjoyed in accordance with the law fully protected, as always,\" he said. 💪
The just-passed Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law aims to better protect the country from genuine threats to national security in today's complex global landscape. Cheung highlighted that the legislation fully aligns with international laws and practices. 🌐
\"Each and every sovereign state, including China, has an inherent right to enact laws to safeguard its national security,\" Cheung stated. He pointed out that many countries have their own national security laws based on their specific risks and needs. For instance, the United States has at least 21 pieces of such legislation, the United Kingdom has at least 14, Canada has at least nine, and Singapore has at least six. 📚
Cheung also addressed criticisms from some countries and organizations, stating that they demonstrate double standards. \"Comments by some countries and organizations on this are made in complete disregard of basic jurisprudence and facts, and demonstrate nothing more than double standards and sophistry,\" he remarked. 🤔
Importantly, he reassured that the legislation clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, as well as international covenants on civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, are to be protected in accordance with the law. \"This important principle forms a cornerstone of the legislation, and is literally written in the new law,\" Cheung added. 📜
\"Our new legislation also strictly adheres to the principles of rule of law. The laws are certain and clear, and they come with appropriate exceptions and defenses. There is no question of the general public inadvertently violating the law,\" he concluded. 🛡️
Looks like Hong Kong is taking significant steps towards a more secure and prosperous future! 🌟
Reference(s):
HK official says Article 23 will bring a stable, prosperous future
cgtn.com
