President of the Law Society: The basic concept of the rule of law is that differences in law-abiding and political opinions do not mean that the law can be reasonably violated

Politics

Written by: Peng Yiwei

2019-12-28 10:25

Lawyer Peng Yunzheng said in the Hong Kong and Taiwan program "Hong Kong Family Book" that the basic concept of the rule of law is to abide by the law. It is necessary to abandon the jungle rule of "winning and talking", and to abide by the law and respect the court ruling. She pointed out that no matter how lofty and ambitious the goal is, everyone in the society cannot ignore the law.

Peng Yunchen pointed out that the public has a misunderstanding of the rule of law and mistakenly believes that accepting legal sanctions after arson and beatings will not be regarded as undermining the rule of law. She emphasized that the above two are serious crimes that can easily affect innocent citizens, regardless of their motivations and ideas behind it. Violence is always violent and cannot be promoted. "Different political opinions do not mean that we can reasonably violate the law."

Lawyer Peng Yunzheng said that the basic concept of the rule of law is to abide by the law. Regardless of the motivation and ideas behind it, violence is always violent and cannot be advocated. (Profile picture / Photo by Lu Yiming)

Peng Yunzheng took the United Kingdom as an example. In October, British Prime Minister Johnson tried to bypass the due process and asked Parliament to pass a long-planned Brexit plan, which was eventually stopped by the President of the British House of Commons because he insisted on law and refused to give in. . She said that if everyone followed their own rules, there would be no law in society.

Harmonious and different, no market

Peng Yunzheng said that in addition to abiding by the law, the rule of law also includes protection of human rights, property rights, personal safety, assembly and freedom of speech. She quoted the famous French philosopher Voltaire: "Anyone who persecutes others with different opinions is like a demon." Peng Yunchen believes that the rule of law has a deeper meaning, that is, mutual respect, but in today's society, opinions can easily become polarized, and it is difficult for everyone to communicate and listen with sincerity. However, there is no market because of differences. Opinions are easier to "grab", and as a result, extreme thoughts are easy to spread ten to ten, and push the world to the extreme.

Peng Yunzheng believes that the brave culture has spread not only to Hong Kong, but also to the whole world. Among them, the well-known environmental movement: The action of "Rebellion Extinction Rebellion" in London, because the impact on society is too great, local police applied to the court for an injunction. She pointed out that participation in social movements must respect the rule of law. In the umbrella movement five years ago, the court issued an injunction. Demonstrators respected the verdict and dispersed peacefully, but this is not the case now.

In the storm of revisions in this half year, Peng Yunzhen believed that many people had two major misunderstandings about the "rule of law" and "had to mess up here anyway."

She pointed out that, first, some people think that as long as they set fire and hit people and accept legal sanctions, they will not be regarded as undermining the rule of law. Arsoning and hurting people is a serious crime. No matter what the motivation and philosophy behind it, violence is always violence and cannot be advocated. Second, many people disagree with the government, and even the laws that it enforces do not respect it. However, please note that different political opinions are one thing, arson and hurt are another matter, and different political opinions do not mean a reasonable violation of the law.

Should we remain silent in the face of these violations of the rule of law? Peng Yunxun pointed out that as a lawyer, you should step forward and be accountable to the society and the court. You cannot be silent and turn a blind eye to violence. Among them, the Law Society has issued seven statements in the past six months. In addition to condemning violence and supporting the rule of law, it also called on the government to respond to social demands. In the member forum held in October, she was very happy to see members enthusiastically speaking and expressing the current situation. Thoughtful and suggestive. One of the key points is the need to defend the rule of law.

Peng Yunxi finally cited the Chief Justice Ma Daoli's speech in the International Bar Association's 2019 Annual Conference held in Seoul, South Korea in September, stating clearly that lawyers are not only responsible for promoting the rule of law, and voiced the need for all sectors to correctly understand the rule of law. Lift.

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