Legislative Council releases annual report Liang Junyan: Sorry about the development of anti-revision cases

Politics

Written by: Peng Yiwei

2020-01-24 18:45

The Legislative Council published its 2018/19 annual report today (24th). The chairman of the Legislative Council, Liang Junyan, said that during the last year's session, the Legislative Council had experienced an extraordinary and restless year. He reported to the Legislative Council with a heavy heart. Work in this year.

Liang Junyan said that as the chairman of the Legislative Council, he was deeply saddened by the development of anti-revision storms, pointing out that the constant conflict and escalation of violence throughout the summer not only seriously disrupted the daily lives of the citizens, but also harmed people's livelihood and the overall economy of Hong Kong.

The Legislative Council today (24th) published its 2018/19 annual report. Chairman Liang Junyan said that during the last session of the Legislative Council, the Legislative Council had experienced an extraordinary and calm year. (Profile picture)

In the preamble of the chairman, Liang Junyan described in detail the events that occurred in the Legislative Council before July. He stated that on April 3, 2019, the government introduced to the Legislative Council the controversial Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Amendment) Bill 2019 (Fugitive Offenders Bill), and initiated the legislative process. It is alleged that the purpose of the amendment is to deal with a case of homicide that occurred in Taiwan in early 2018 and the suspect was a Hong Kong resident.

Fugitive Bills Committee fails to elect chairman for first time in Legislative Council history

Following the suspension of the second reading debate on the Fugitive Offenders Bill, the Legislative Council established a Bills Committee to consider the Bill in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Regrettably, the Fugitive Offenders Bill Committee failed to elect its chairman after four meetings in April and May due to serious interference from some members who opposed the bill. This was the first time in the history of the Legislative Council. Happening.

Liang Junyan said that after the House Committee made a decision to revoke the establishment of the Bills Committee, the Secretary for Security issued a letter recommending that the second reading debate on the Fugitive Offenders Bill be resumed at the Legislative Council meeting on June 12. Therefore, he put the Fugitive Offenders Bill on the agenda of the meeting on that day, and arranged two meetings of the Legislative Council for a total of about 61 hours to deal with the relevant procedures. On June 9, a large number of citizens took to the streets to oppose the Fugitive Offenders Bill.

The building was invaded and destroyed by demonstrators on July 1

Liang Junyan said that on the morning of June 12, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered near the Legislative Council Complex. Many members, including himself, were unable to go to the building to attend the meeting, and fierce clashes broke out between the protesters and the police. Considering that the situation poses a serious security risk to the users of the building, he decided that the meeting would not be held as scheduled. Subsequently, the Chief Executive announced on June 15 that the amendment of the Fugitive Offenders Bill was suspended. However, public dissatisfaction has not subsided. On July 1, the Legislative Council building was intruded and damaged by protesters, causing serious damage to glass curtain walls, conference facilities and fire and security systems.

Liang Junyan said that after the incident, all meetings and activities originally scheduled to be held in July must be cancelled. A total of 3 amendment bills, two government resolutions, and 10 parliamentary motions must be postponed to the next session.

The executive and legislative relationship is very tense

Liang Junyan finally said that the harmonious and interactive administrative and legislative relationship is the key to maintaining effective governance in Hong Kong, but unfortunately during the current legislative session, the administrative and legislative relationship is still very tense. "Fugitives Bill", he hopes that society can quickly return to peace and that citizens can express their opinions in a peaceful, rational and legal manner. In the best interests of Hong Kong, Leung Kwan-yan urged members of different political spectrums to work together to resolve social differences and rebuild Mutual trust between the public and the government.

Liang Junyan Legislative Council