Two British judges have resigned from Hong Kong’s top court, the city’s judiciary confirmed, raising concerns about the city's rule of law under a Beijing-imposed national security law. The judges, Jonathan Sumption and Lawrence Collins, who serve as non-permanent overseas judges of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal, tendered their resignations to the city leader. Collins cited the 'political situation in Hong Kong' as the reason for his resignation, while Sumption is expected to make a statement next week.
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung expressed regret over their decisions, emphasizing the judiciary's commitment to upholding the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. The resignations come in the wake of the 2020 national security law, which has led to the arrest of numerous pro-democracy activists and raised concerns about the erosion of freedoms in the city.
Last week, a Hong Kong court found 14 pro-democracy activists guilty of conspiring to commit subversion, marking the city's largest national security case to date. Critics argue that the security law is being used to suppress dissent, while Beijing and Hong Kong officials maintain that it has restored stability to the city.
The Hong Kong Bar Association expressed confidence in the city's judicial system despite the judges' resignations, stating that it believes the apex court will continue to fulfill its judicial functions independently. The departures of Sumption and Collins follow similar resignations by other foreign judges, including Australian judge James Spigelman and British judge Baroness Brenda Hale, citing concerns related to the national security law.
In response to the resignations, Hong Kong's leader John Lee reiterated that the city's human rights, freedoms, and judicial independence remain intact. However, the series of departures from the top court underscore ongoing worries about the state of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
