#Save12HKYouths
1 Month Since China Captures and Detains 12 Hongkongers, Authorities Force 5 Lawyers to Withdraw
Since China Coast Guard arrested 12 Hongkongers in the waters on August 23, 2020, neither their families, nor their lawyers were allowed to meet with them. The distressed families lamented they could not know if their love ones are still alive and that the Hong Kong Government did not provide any effective assistance.
See Timeline:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25411
So far, 5 lawyers appointed by the families had dropped the case after being pressurized by Chinese authorities and law society in China. The Chinese government insisted on assigning their own lawyers to the detainees.
On September 20, 2020, one lawyer employed by a detainee's family received a phone call from PRC's Justice Bureau. On the phone, he was asked if he was handling a case that involved 12 Hongkongers. After the lawyer admitted it, the voice asked to meet him in person 2 days later.
On 21 Sept, the lawyer received another call from PRC's Justice Bureau and a request for his client’s name. After a while, his law firm received a call checking if they were handling a case about illegal border transgression.
In the end, the Chinese authorities ordered the lawyer to withdraw the case as it "involved political matters".
Indeed, the lawyer had just completed the notarization procedure and was mailing related document to Chinese authorities. It was suspected that the Chinese authorities had traced his identity and requested to meet In person after knowing that his notarization was done in Hong Kong.
As his client is underage, the detainee couldn’t 'hire' any lawyer and should be represented by the one his family entrusted.
On September 22, it turned out that the head of the Bureau of Justice, the head of a substation and a Chief Legal Officer were all there to meet the lawyer. They all asked him to drop the case.
The lawyer declined by pointing out that he had completed the notarization procedure and signed a contract with his client's family.
The authorities insisted and revealed that another lawyer would be 'assigned' to his client after he withdraws. After using a carrot and stick approach, the authorities became more stern in requesting the lawyer to quit.
It is expected the authority would continue pressurising him.
Source: Save 12 Hong Kong Youths Concern Group #Sept22
https://t.me/save12hkyouths/19
#RulebyLaw #ChineseLaw
1 Month Since China Captures and Detains 12 Hongkongers, Authorities Force 5 Lawyers to Withdraw
Since China Coast Guard arrested 12 Hongkongers in the waters on August 23, 2020, neither their families, nor their lawyers were allowed to meet with them. The distressed families lamented they could not know if their love ones are still alive and that the Hong Kong Government did not provide any effective assistance.
See Timeline:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25411
So far, 5 lawyers appointed by the families had dropped the case after being pressurized by Chinese authorities and law society in China. The Chinese government insisted on assigning their own lawyers to the detainees.
On September 20, 2020, one lawyer employed by a detainee's family received a phone call from PRC's Justice Bureau. On the phone, he was asked if he was handling a case that involved 12 Hongkongers. After the lawyer admitted it, the voice asked to meet him in person 2 days later.
On 21 Sept, the lawyer received another call from PRC's Justice Bureau and a request for his client’s name. After a while, his law firm received a call checking if they were handling a case about illegal border transgression.
In the end, the Chinese authorities ordered the lawyer to withdraw the case as it "involved political matters".
Indeed, the lawyer had just completed the notarization procedure and was mailing related document to Chinese authorities. It was suspected that the Chinese authorities had traced his identity and requested to meet In person after knowing that his notarization was done in Hong Kong.
As his client is underage, the detainee couldn’t 'hire' any lawyer and should be represented by the one his family entrusted.
On September 22, it turned out that the head of the Bureau of Justice, the head of a substation and a Chief Legal Officer were all there to meet the lawyer. They all asked him to drop the case.
The lawyer declined by pointing out that he had completed the notarization procedure and signed a contract with his client's family.
The authorities insisted and revealed that another lawyer would be 'assigned' to his client after he withdraws. After using a carrot and stick approach, the authorities became more stern in requesting the lawyer to quit.
It is expected the authority would continue pressurising him.
Source: Save 12 Hong Kong Youths Concern Group #Sept22
https://t.me/save12hkyouths/19
#RulebyLaw #ChineseLaw