【港版國安法】特首選法官 案件送中審 李國能批兩致命傷毁港司法獨立
蘋果日報 2020/06/23 08:46
李國能港版國安法
「港版國安法」繞過香港於內地立法，盛傳將會趕在7月1日前生效。前終審法院首席法官李國能於報章撰文，對於「港版國安法」草案現時仍未公佈感到不幸（unfortunate），而全國人民代表大會常務委員會法制委員會的解釋指出，將會依照香港包括無罪推定的法律原則，並無建議港版國安法具有追溯力。不過他認為由特首選擇負責處理港版國安法法官，這會不利於司法獨立，強調特首並不具備法官經驗和知識作出選擇，加上林鄭在港擔任國家安全委員會主席，又認為假如將受審者「送中」，將徹底破壞《基本法》下的獨立司法權。
李國能於《明報》及《南華早報》的聲明中提出兩點，一是由行政長官選擇相關的法官，他指出根據《基本法》，法官是由行政長官根據獨立委員會（即司法人員推薦委員會）推薦任命，委員會法官根據其專業選拔，獨立行使司法權力，而不受任何干擾，而司法機構應獨立於行政機關，獨立司法機構應不受執行當局任何干預。而且行政長官不具備法官經驗和專業知識，無法自行做出選擇。而行政長官在香港設立的國家安全委員會擔任主席，不宜由她作出決定法官人選。
他又對於消息指中央對少數案件行使「管轄權」、被捕人士或會「送中」表示「嚴重關注」（serious concern）。認為當中央行使管轄權後，相關案件將於大陸進行審理，被告將不會享受香港司法保障，雖然消息稱只有特殊、極少數的情況下才行使管轄權，但同樣會破壞香港根據《基本法》行使的獨立司法權。
這次是李國能在1個月內第二次就「港版國安法」發表聲明，本月初他發出聲明，指人大常委會為香港制定國安法的決定可以理解及合理，但認為法例必須不具追溯力，而且案件須在香港公開公正審訊；當時李國能認為無充份理由禁止持外國護照法官處理國安案件，否則有損《基本法》所保障的司法獨立原則。根據上周公佈的草案內容，北京並無完全接納李國能的建議。
李國能於《明報》及《南華早報》的聲明中提出兩點，一是由行政長官選擇相關的法官，他指出根據《基本法》，法官是由行政長官根據獨立委員會（即司法人員推薦委員會）推薦任命，委員會法官根據其專業選拔，獨立行使司法權力，而不受任何干擾，而司法機構應獨立於行政機關，獨立司法機構應不受執行當局任何干預。而且行政長官不具備法官經驗和專業知識，無法自行做出選擇。而行政長官在香港設立的國家安全委員會擔任主席，不宜由她作出決定法官人選。
他又對於消息指中央對少數案件行使「管轄權」、被捕人士或會「送中」表示「嚴重關注」（serious concern）。認為當中央行使管轄權後，相關案件將於大陸進行審理，被告將不會享受香港司法保障，雖然消息稱只有特殊、極少數的情況下才行使管轄權，但同樣會破壞香港根據《基本法》行使的獨立司法權。
這次是李國能在1個月內第二次就「港版國安法」發表聲明，本月初他發出聲明，指人大常委會為香港制定國安法的決定可以理解及合理，但認為法例必須不具追溯力，而且案件須在香港公開公正審訊；當時李國能認為無充份理由禁止持外國護照法官處理國安案件，否則有損《基本法》所保障的司法獨立原則。根據上周公佈的草案內容，北京並無完全接納李國能的建議。
《南華早報》刊登李國能聲明全文
It is unfortunate that the draft law has not yet been published. But it is significant to note that the explanation of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee has stated that the legal principles of our system would be followed, including the presumption of innocence. There is no suggestion that the law would be retrospective.
I would wish to comment on two matters affecting the judiciary. First, it was stated that the chief executive would have the power to select judges who would deal with national security cases. This would be detrimental to the independence of the judiciary.
Under the Basic Law, judges are appointed by the chief executive on the recommendation of an independent commission, that is, the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. Judges are chosen on the basis of their professional qualities and they exercise their judicial power independently, free from any interference.
The judiciary is independent from the executive authorities. The independent judiciary should decide on the judges who would hear these cases without any interference from the executive authorities.
Further, the chief executive would not have the required knowledge of the experience and expertise of judges to make the selection on his or her own. Also, the chief executive’s chairmanship of the National Security Commission to be established in Hong Kong would make it inappropriate for him or her to make the choice on his or her own.
If this view is not acceptable, then the arrangement should at least provide that the chief executive’s selection of these judges must be based on the recommendation of the chief justice or that of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. This would ensure that the choice will be made on a professional and independent basis.
Secondly, the explanation stated that under specific circumstances, the central authorities may exercise jurisdiction over a small number of criminal cases that jeopardise national security. This also raises serious concern.
When exercised, these cases will be dealt with and tried in mainland China. The defendant will not enjoy the safeguards of our judicial process. Although it is said that this jurisdiction could only be exercised in the most exceptional circumstances, it would undermine the independent judicial power which our courts are authorised to exercise under the Basic Law.
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I would wish to comment on two matters affecting the judiciary. First, it was stated that the chief executive would have the power to select judges who would deal with national security cases. This would be detrimental to the independence of the judiciary.
Under the Basic Law, judges are appointed by the chief executive on the recommendation of an independent commission, that is, the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. Judges are chosen on the basis of their professional qualities and they exercise their judicial power independently, free from any interference.
The judiciary is independent from the executive authorities. The independent judiciary should decide on the judges who would hear these cases without any interference from the executive authorities.
Further, the chief executive would not have the required knowledge of the experience and expertise of judges to make the selection on his or her own. Also, the chief executive’s chairmanship of the National Security Commission to be established in Hong Kong would make it inappropriate for him or her to make the choice on his or her own.
If this view is not acceptable, then the arrangement should at least provide that the chief executive’s selection of these judges must be based on the recommendation of the chief justice or that of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. This would ensure that the choice will be made on a professional and independent basis.
Secondly, the explanation stated that under specific circumstances, the central authorities may exercise jurisdiction over a small number of criminal cases that jeopardise national security. This also raises serious concern.
When exercised, these cases will be dealt with and tried in mainland China. The defendant will not enjoy the safeguards of our judicial process. Although it is said that this jurisdiction could only be exercised in the most exceptional circumstances, it would undermine the independent judicial power which our courts are authorised to exercise under the Basic Law.
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反送中一周年，《蘋果》整理大量涉及警察濫暴濫權等資料，製成詳盡資料庫，請按此閱讀圖表版本 ／純文字版本
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英文版已登錄新版《蘋果》App按此下載/更新
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