Hong Kong backs China bid to bar rebel lawmakers

Hong Kong /AFP

Hong Kong’s leader said on Monday he would “fully implement” a landmark ruling by Beijing which effectively bars two pro-independence lawmakers from the city’s legislature, in a crisis that heightens fears the rule of law is under threat.
It is the latest chapter of political turmoil for the semi-autonomous city as fears grow that China is tightening its grip, and comes just over two years since Beijing issued an edict which plunged Hong Kong into months of protests.
That ruling in 2014, which said candidates for city leader must be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee, sparked massive rallies known as the “Umbrella Movement”. Now the city is bracing for another backlash as Beijing said it will not allow the two lawmakers to be sworn into office. “The rule of law in Hong Kong is dead,” pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo said.

“It’s rule by decree”
The crisis came after rebel lawmakers Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching deliberately misread their oaths of office last month, inserting expletives and derogatory terms, and draping themselves with “Hong Kong is not China” flags.
They were initially granted a second chance at swearing in but authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing have stepped in to prevent that.
Beijing’s intervention pre-empts a decision by Hong Kong’s High Court into whether Baggio and Yau should be disqualified from taking up their seats. That court decision is still pending.
Pro-independence protesters clashed with police Sunday night in anticipation of Beijing’s ruling, with riot officers firing pepper spray on the crowds.
In chaotic scenes reminiscent of the demonstrations of 2014, protesters charged metal fences set up by police outside China’s liaison office in the city.
In a rare interpretation of Hong Kong’s constitution Monday, Beijing said any oath taker who does not follow the prescribed wording of oath, “or takes the oath in a manner which is not sincere or not solemn”, should be disqualified.
Hong Kong’s leader Leung Chun-ying said he would “fully implement” the decision of the Communist-controlled National People’s Congress (NPC).
Leung also said the emergence of the pro-independence movement had put a controversial anti-subversion security law, Article 23, back on the table.
That was previously shelved after massive public protests in 2003 which feared it would lead to suppression.