Legal professionals have expressed their worries that the recent turmoil in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will erode the rule of law, hoping the society could get back on the right track as soon as possible.
No society will accept challenge to law
"The most intolerable thing is that it is illegal, and illegal demonstrators are making Hong Kong society unrest," said Tony Kan Chung Nin, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and founding president of the Association of Hong Kong Professionals.
The rally this weekend was completely illegal, he said, criticizing that the violent protesters' actions seriously undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong.
"In any country or region, if people do not comply with the law, society will fall into chaos," he stressed.
The "Safeguard Hong Kong" massive rally is held in Hong Kong, July 20, 2019. /Xinhua Photo
Jimmy Ng Wing-ka, a member of Legislative Council of HKSAR, said that every resident in Hong Kong should abide by the law and should not participate in illegal rallies.
Lawrence Ma, chairperson of Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation, said violent demonstrators have violated laws.
Several Hong Kong lawyers stressed that these violent offenders must not be tolerated and must be severely punished for their illegal acts in accordance with the law.
Opposition camp responsible for undermining rule of law
The recent violence will seriously affect the confidence and cognition of the general public and the international community on the rule of law in Hong Kong, said Jimmy Ng Wing-ka.
He added that the opposition camp has two purposes for excusing illegal rallies: winning more votes and challenging the government.
Other legal professionals noted that the behavior of the opposition camp helps the violence become more and more serious.
Whole society should support the police
The "Safeguard Hong Kong" massive rally is held in Hong Kong, July 20, 2019. /Xinhua Photo
Tony Kan Chung Nin highly praised the performance of the Hong Kong police as "professional and rational."
"Now, some extremists are not having peaceful demonstrations, but [engaging in] serious violence against the police. The police can increase their force to deal with extremists," he noted.
Giving adequate warnings first and then took necessary and appropriate measures of force – this is very appropriate and civilized, Jimmy Ng Wing-ka said.
Hong Kong residents should firmly support the HKSAR government and police to exercise their lawful duty, the legal professionals stressed.