A man walks past a government public notice banner for the National Security Law in Hong Kong on July 15, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)
HONG KONG – The Security Bureau on Saturday strongly condemned an organization for making what it termed “gravely unfounded allegations” against a police operation in collecting evidence, stressing that to collect evidence pertaining to the investigation is legal, reasonable and rational.
It explained that the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force on Friday conducted searches with a warrant and seized an exhibit in Yuen Long related to incitement to subversion case under the National Security Law.
The organization concerned attempted to make misleading comments and request for the exhibit’s return under the guise of artistic freedom, and unreasonably condemned and maliciously smeared Police’s lawful enforcement actions, absolutely defying the law and disregarding the rule of law, the Security Bureau said in a statement.
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It made it clear that Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are duty-bound to bring to justice people and entities acting in violation of the city’s laws, including the National Security Law, and that police actions in question sought to uphold justice.
It (SAR govt) safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests while protecting in accordance with the law the rights and freedoms that the residents of Hong Kong enjoy.
Spokesman, Security Burea, HKSAR
“All law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation,” said a spokesman for the bureau.
Regarding the case concerned involving the present evidence collection, the bureau said the investigation has all along been ongoing and to collect evidence following the investigation progress in order to take forward the relevant case is legal, reasonable and rational.
"Article 4 of the National Security Law clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and that the rights and freedoms which the residents of Hong Kong enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law. Nonetheless, such rights and freedoms are not absolute.”
Nonetheless, such rights and freedoms are not absolute, the bureau reiterated.
Stressing that the SAR government carries out its duties and obligations to safeguard national security in accordance with the law, the spokesman said: “It safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests while protecting in accordance with the law the rights and freedoms that the residents of Hong Kong enjoy.”
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Urging the organization concerned to immediately stop making unfounded allegations, the bureau said the HKSAR government will continue to handle the case concerned in accordance with the law.