Telling Good Stories of Hong Kong
It’s not what you tell people, it’s what you have done.
Recently, The World Justice Project announced the 2022 Rule of Law Index. While it was reported that the index dropped in most countries for the fifth year, Hong Kong SAR dropped out of the top 20 for the first time. It ended at number 22, and Singapore is at 17 for those who compare the two places in every aspect.
It doesn’t sit well with the administration, especially since they keep talking about telling the world how Hong Kong is now better than ever. They responded to the report, and the Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-Kwok spoke to the media this time. He tried to defend Hong Kong’s justice system and accused the smear of Hong Kong’s image.
However, he compares Hong Kong legal services to food services. “We have all levels of food services to meet the needs of different people”, he mentioned. It’s a bewildering statement coming from the Secretary for Justice, and if that is his true feeling about our justice system, then it is justified that we get such a ranking at the index.
The truth is, the courts have become one-sided. Many were denied bail for almost two years now, and the court date is still not clear. Heck, even the exact cause of why they were arrested is still not revealed. Many young offenders were charged with rioting simply because they were found carrying a laser pointer, which is considered a dangerous weapon in the eyes of Hong Kong laws.
We understand the court is supposed to uphold justice, but should they also prevent unjust imprisonment?
Don’t tell me how good you are, show me!