Statement by The Law Society of Hong Kong

3 September 2019

(for immediate release)

Paralysing access to the Hong Kong International Airport, blocking roads and vandalising public transport and railway stations on 1st September 2019 were acts in open defiance of court injunctions that are currently in force, restraining persons from unlawfully and wilfully obstructing or interfering with the proper use of the Airport and the railway.

The Law Society of Hong Kong views with alarm the open defiance of the court orders, which is an affront to the rule of law. Any person who neglects to obey or comply with the court orders, or any person who assists or incites, aids or abets another in disobeying the court orders, may be held in contempt of court - a serious matter.

The Law Society condemns all forms of unlawful violence; particularly, the use of petrol bombs against the police, as well as apparent attacks on the families of police officers and bullying of their children at school.

The Law Society also notes grave concerns about the police exerting unnecessary force against passengers inside MTR stations. The Law Society urges the relevant law enforcement authorities to take such concerns seriously and to investigate them thoroughly and impartially.

The Law Society encourages the Hong Kong SAR government to take steps to address the concerns of society as a whole. Different sectors of the community have submitted some constructive suggestions to the government. The Law Society encourages the government to engage in an open dialogue with the community and without delay, in order to find solutions to help restore peace and quiet in Hong Kong.

For media enquiry, please contact Ms. Phoebe Chow, Director of Communications and External Affairs at 2846 0520 or by email (adceag@hklawsoc.org.hk).

About the Law Society of Hong Kong

The Law Society of Hong Kong is the professional body of solicitors in Hong Kong vested with statutory powers to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers. It establishes and promotes good standards of practice and ensures their compliance by practitioners. The Law Society also offers its views from time to time on legal issues that are of public concern and promotes Hong Kong legal services locally and internationally. For more information, please visit: www.hklawsoc.org.hk