British Judges and Hong Kong’s CCP Security Law: Justice Minister says “government and the serving UK judges who sit on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal continue to assess the situation closely.”

Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, the Ministry of Justice, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL3088):

Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have (1) to institute a further review into the independence of the Hong Kong judiciary, and (2) to assess the viability of UK judges continuing to serve on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. (HL3088) 

Tabled on: 14 October 2021

Answer:
Lord Wolfson of Tredegar: 

The National Security Law poses real questions for the rule of law in Hong Kong and the protection of rights and freedoms promised by China in the Joint Declaration. The UK Government remains committed to supporting the principles of the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law in Hong Kong. That is why the government and the serving UK judges who sit on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal continue to assess the situation closely.

In line with our most recent assessment, the agreement under which the UK judges have served in Hong Kong since 1997 continues to have our full support.

Date and time of answer: 27 Oct 2021 at 17:25.