Political situation
Written by: Wen Weiguang
2021-04-21 20:36
Last update date: 2021-04-21 20:36
47 pro-democrats who participated in or organized the primary election were charged with "conspiracy to subvert state power" and appeared in West Kowloon Magistracy on the 1st of last month. After a 40-hour "marathon" bail hearing, many defendants were unwell. Sent to hospital.
"Reuters" today (21st) quoted several anonymous current and retiring judges, saying that the bail hearing of the 47-person primary election tortured the defendant and deprived the defendant of basic rights, stressing that it was unacceptable.
One of the current Magistrates' Court judges said that the bail hearings in the 47-person case are reminiscent of the "show trials" used by China and other dictatorships, with the purpose of publicly humiliating and attacking political opponents.
"Reuters" reported that Hong Kong was welcoming "China-style justice". It quoted a retired judge as saying that the 47-person primary election incident was shocking (It was appalling what went on). This person believes that the judge has the right to exercise discretion to control the hearing time and should ensure that the people in the court are properly taken care of, emphasizing that he cannot understand why such a serious error was caused.
(I just cannot fathom how this was allowed to go so terribly wrong.)
A judge criticized 47 people for being "unusually tortured"
Another serving judge and two retired judges said that Hong Kong has always been proud of the British-style independent judicial system, but emphasized that the 47 defendants in the primary election were "unusually tortured."
They also pointed out that the defendant in the case applied for bail but was trapped in the court for several days, depriving them of sleep and other basic rights. They believed that this practice marked a huge difference from the common law tradition in Hong Kong.
(Have marked a dramatic departure from the common law tradition of Hong Kong.)
The Department of Justice replied to Reuters’ enquiry that it is reviewing the arrangements of courts at all levels for handling cases involving a large number of litigants and observers, including scheduling hearings.
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The Department of Justice replied to Reuters’ enquiry that it is reviewing the arrangements of courts at all levels for handling cases involving a large number of litigants and observers, including scheduling hearings.
In a statement on March 5, the Attorney General also acknowledged that the court is facing enormous and unprecedented challenges, and believes that the specific details of the arrangements are inevitably inadequate.
The 47 Panminic Primary Election Case | Mao Mengjing Higher Court’s application for bail was rejected and must continue to be repaid
Panmin 47 people case | Cen Zijie High Court’s application for bail was rejected and supporters shouted: Hold on
Panmin 47-member primaries | Judgment explanation and review of the rationale alleges that Zhang Kesen is determined to promote "speculation"
Panmin 47 people case | Official explanation Huang Biyun and other reasons for bail decision point to Wu Jianwei's firm idea of Hong Kong independence
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Hong Kong version of the National Security Law Court