Hong Kong’s top judge has defended the city’s legal system after intensifying criticism over the treatment of democracy activist and newspaper founder Jimmy Lai.
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00:00 Since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, there have
00:08 been crackdowns and concerns that democratic freedoms are being rolled back, as well as
00:13 criticism that its courts are no longer independent.
00:17 But at the court's annual ceremonial opening, Hong Kong's top judge defended the city's
00:22 judiciary while also saying it took its national security duties seriously.
00:28 Of course, this does not mean that the courts will blindly convict all defendants or mete
00:36 out the heaviest punishments possible on conviction.
00:41 Rather, the courts will fully respect all fundamental rights.
00:47 His comments come as democracy activist and newspaper founder Jimmy Lai is on trial under
00:52 the national security law.
00:55 The conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and to publish seditious material.
01:00 British and US officials, as well as UN experts, have called for Lai's release, with rights
01:06 activists accusing authorities of prosecuting Lai because he spoke out against Beijing.
01:12 His case is seen as a key test for the city's judicial independence.
01:17 The conviction rate on the national security law is 100 percent.
01:22 The judges are all handpicked by the chief executive, which is handpicked by Beijing.
01:28 So you can see the links that it will be extraordinarily hard to say, you know, the judges are independent.
01:36 Hong Kong's government says defendants charged with national security offences are treated
01:41 fairly and cases are transparent.
01:45 As the judges get down to business for another year, they know that it's not just their cases
01:50 that are on trial, but the system itself.
01:53 Alex Chen and Louise Watt for Taiwan Plus.
01:57 (upbeat music)
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