Political situation
Author: Zhai Ruimin
2020-07-08 16:06
Date of last update: 2020-07-08 16:06Since the anti-amendment incident, many civil servants have been arrested for participating in demonstrations. The newly announced "Minato City National Security Law" requires public officials to take oaths and allegiance. The oath plan submitted by the Civil Service Bureau will be discussed at the meeting of the Legislative Council's Civil Service and Subsidiary Organization Staff Affairs Committee at a later date (10th).
According to the discussion paper submitted by the authorities, all newly recruited civil servants starting from July 1 this year must sign documents confirming their support for the Basic Law and their loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As for current civil servants, there is also a need to comply with the relevant oath requirements. In the future, all civil servants who are recommended for promotion, or who are recommended to be transferred to another grade, and who play an important role or higher rank in the government’s decision-making process, and are more sensitive in their duties Civil servants will be arranged to swear or sign documents first.
The Civil Service Bureau has conducted a study on the policies and systems established by civil servants to maintain political neutrality. It will be submitted to the Legislative Council Panel for discussion at a later date. (Profile picture)
Article 6 of the "National Security Law of the Port Area" stipulates that "residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall sign documents in accordance with the law to confirm or swear to support the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and to be loyal to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China".
The Civil Service Bureau has conducted a study on the policies and systems established by civil servants to maintain political neutrality. It will be submitted to the Legislative Council Panel for discussion at a later date. The authorities proposed that, in accordance with the Code of Civil Servants, civil servants must adhere to the rule of law, loyalty, impartiality and political neutrality; they should perform their duties and responsibilities in a fair and impartial manner with regard to the policies and decisions of the incumbent government. The government is completely loyal and independent of its political beliefs. It wholeheartedly supports the implementation of government decisions. When participating in public debates or discussing public affairs, civil servants must ensure that their words and deeds are consistent with the policies and decisions of the incumbent government and are commensurate with their public office.
Among the current civil servants, civil servants with more sensitive duties (such as disciplinary officers, administrative officers, press officers, legal officers, etc.) are advised to swear or sign documents first. (Getty)
The authorities suggested that all civil servants who joined on or after July 1 this year must sign documents confirming their support for the Basic Law and their loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The current civil servants also need to comply with the relevant oath requirements. It is recommended that all civil servants who are recommended for promotion or transfer to another grade be recommended in the future, and play an important role or higher rank in the government’s decision-making process (such as Directorate level), and civil servants with more sensitive duties (such as disciplinary officers, administrative officers, press officers, legal officers, etc.), first swear or sign documents.
The document also mentions that it will consider what appropriate follow-up actions and related handling mechanisms should be taken when a civil servant fails to comply with the request or violates an oath or declaration.
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