By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
HONG KONG, China– A new chief justice has been named for the city of Hong Kong. Lawyers and human rights activists said they were pleased to see a British-educated Geoffrey Ma head Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal later this year.
Ma currently serves as the chief judge of Hong Kong’s High Court, the city’s second highest court.
Ma will succeed Andrew Li, who during his 13 years as chief justice was seen as the guardian of Hong Kong’s judicial autonomy.
Mainland China’s courts are criticized for imprisoning dissidents based on political motivation and for stifling individual liberties. However, the legal system of Hong Kong is respected as when Beijing took over Hong Kong from Britain in 1997, Hong Kong was allowed to maintain its British-influenced political and legal systems whereby civil liberties like freedom of speech and protest are protected.
Li told reporters that he is confident that Ma “will uphold the rule of law and safeguard judicial independence, and that the judiciary, under his leadership, will continue to ensure that individual rights and freedoms of citizens are fully safeguarded.”
In affirming Ma’s qualification for the position, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang also said, “An independent Judiciary has been and will remain a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity . . . I am confident Justice Ma will discharge his duties as head of the Judiciary with distinction.”
Ma’s appointment also garnered a positive reaction from the Hong Kong Bar Association. The Association released a statement saying that Ma is well-respected and is “eminently qualified.”
Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor Director Law Yuk-kai was also elated saying, “[Ma] is strong in public law. He has the competence to protect constitutional rights.”
However, critics and opponents have expressed concern regarding Ma’s two recent rulings. One opposition lawmaker and veteran lawyer, Audrey Eu, commented that Ma has “always tended to be a little conservative.”
Nevertheless, Law said, “Of course we were disappointed about some cases, but I don’t think he is going out of the way to side with the government.” He added, “Hong Kong doesn’t have democracy. We expect there is at least one branch of government that serves as the last protector of our rights and interests.”
For more information, please see:
China Daily – Hong Kong appoints new chief justice – 8 April 2010
Taiwan News – HK top judge nominee praised as good for rights – 9 April 2010
WSJ – Hong Kong Taps Judge as New Chief Justice – 9 April 2010
