A Press Release from (Legal) Election Committee of Hong Kong forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
We as members of the legal profession and as elected representatives of the legal sub-sector of the Election Committee are gravely concerned and alarmed at the mass arrest, detention and disappearance of lawyers in China.
Legal professionals all over the world have a duty to uphold the law, and protect the constitutional rights and freedoms of their clients. Lawyers should be protected and not persecuted for standing up for the rights of their clients. The frontal attack of lawyers as a target group is an assault on the law and the rule of law which is the cornerstone of any modern society.
We stand with our professional brothers and sisters across the border to demand that the constitutional rights of individuals be respected and that legal professionals be allowed to discharge their duty without fear.
Edward Chan, SC
Stephen Char
Jasmine Chau
Cheng Shui Tai
Eric Cheung
Cheung Yiu Leung
John Clancey
Philip Dykes, SC
Graham Harris, SC
Fred Ho
Sidney Ho
David Hui
Dennis Kwok
Lam Kin Man
Philip Li
Bruce Liu
Andrew Mak
Jonathan Man
Debora Poon
Hectar Pun, SC
Randy Shek
Sin Ping Ho
Jeffrey Tam
Herman Tang
Michael Vidler
Daniel Wong
Linda Wong
Alvin Yeung
Richard Yip
Helena Yuen
法律界選委就被大規模拘捕、羈留及失蹤的中國律師發出的聲明
我們作為法律專業從業員及選舉委員會法律界代表對在中國發生的大規模拘捕，羈留律師及律師的失蹤表示極度關注。
全世界的法律專業人士均有維護法律，保障其當事人的憲法權利及自由的責任。律師們應為爭取客戶的權益而受到保護，而非受到迫害。對律師作為一個目標群體的正面衝擊是對法律及法治的襲擊。法治亦是任何現代社會的基石。
我們與在彼岸的專業弟兄姊妹站在同一陣線要求個人的憲法權利得到尊重，而法律專業人士能夠在沒有恐懼之下執行他們的職務。
陳景生 查鍚我 周汝嘉
鄭瑞泰 張達明 張耀良
關尚義 戴啓思 夏偉志
何俊麒 何翹楚 許天福
郭榮鏗 林健文 李偉業
廖成利 麥業成 文浩正
潘淑瑛 潘熙 石書銘
冼秉浩 譚俊傑 鄧偉棕
韋智達 黃國桐 黃瑞紅
楊岳橋 葉海琅 阮陳淑怡
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As a profession, we are gravely concerned and alarmed at the recent mass arrest, detention and disappearance of lawyers and their families in Mainland China. More than 100 lawyers have been targeted. 13 ex-Bar Chairmen, the Legal Sector Election Committee members, and the Hong Kong Bar Association have issued statements to condemn this latest crackdown on the legal profession (please see attached). The United Nations, and the UK Law Society have also issued statements to shown their deep concerns.
A worldwide signature campaign has been launched (https://www.change.org/p/government-of-prc-stop-harassing-lawyers-uphold-the-rule-of-law?just_created=true). I would respectfully urge you to sign-up.
The rule of law cannot exist without a strong and independent legal profession. We stand with our fellow professionals across the border. They must be respected and be allowed to discharge their professional duties without fear.
This coming Friday evening (24th), I have organised a Friday Tea Gathering to discuss the PRC Legal System (http://tinyurl.com/20150724FTG) , with Mr. YL Cheung as the speaker. YL is a barrister and also a core member of the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group. No doubt members will be asking questions about the recent developments in the PRC, and the Mainland human rights lawyers who are still in custody.
