Editorial : Political neutrality of judges and the rule of law
文章日期:2020年5月27日

【明報專訊】GEOFFREY MA Tao-li, the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, has issued a statement in relation to the controversy aroused by the judgement on a "Lennon Wall" stabbing case. In his statement, Ma reminds judges and judicial officers that they must refrain from unnecessarily expressing political views in public so as not to compromise the "appearance of impartiality". Amid serious rifts within Hong Kong society, the meaning of the rule of law has been distorted by many of those who are preoccupied with politics. Rulings handed down by courts often become the target of attacks from different camps. Some judges have even been "doxxed" and insulted. Now that the rule of law in Hong Kong has entered a difficult stage, judges and judicial officers should of course be more cautious so as to avoid further misunderstandings in society. At the same time, all sides of society must respect the rule of law. A judge's duty is not to make a ruling that chimes in with popular wishes. Any kind of political pressure on or violent threat to judges will undermine the rule of law and must not be accepted.

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