Europe speaks out on Chow

THE British and European governments came out swinging against the disqualification of Agnes Chow Ting (周庭) for the Hong Kong Island Legislative Council by-election.
Former governor Chris Patten (彭定康) urged British Premier Theresa May (文翠珊) to challenge Beijing during her visit to China, which she did not.
A spokesman for May said the protection of civil and political rights in Hong Kong is an essential part of the implementation of the one country, two systems principle.
The European Union (歐盟), meanwhile, warned that the disqualification of Chow “risks diminishing Hong Kong’s international reputation as a free and open society”.
“Barring candidates from standing for election because of their political beliefs is in contradiction to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (林鄭月娥) hit back, saying that foreign institutes and politicians lack an understanding of Hong Kong and should learn more before criticising. “Ideologies won’t meet legal requirements if they are proven to be breaching the Basic Law.”
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying (華春瑩) said: “China resolutely opposes any foreign government, organisation or individual interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs.”

(This article is published on Junior Standard on 07 February 2018)

European Union statement
https:// goo.gl/5qKRsM

LegCo eligibility decision lawful: CE
https:// goo.gl/gZzwiy