30 June 2017

one country two systems

"one country two systems" and the "belt and road initiative" will go down in history as a shining example to resolve differences and bring about peace and prosperity to the region(s) concerned.

29 June 2017

廉政專員的任命與職能

RTHK : 公民黨立法會議員郭榮鏗提出兩條私人條例草案,一項是將行政長官納入《防止賄賂條例》;另一項是修訂《廉政公署條例》,要求設立由終審法院首席法官為首的三人獨立委員會,監察廉政專員的任命與職能。

http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1338762-20170628.htm?spTabChangeable=0

他的舉措會否違反基本法呢?

根據基本法第43條,香港特別行政區行政長官是香港特別行政區的首長,代表香港特別行政區。香港特別行政區行政長官依照本法的規定對中央人民政府和香港特別行政區負責。

根據基本法第48條,香港特別行政區行政長官行使下列職權:( 一 ) 領導香港特別行政區政府 ... ( 五 ) 提名並報請中央人民政府任命下列主要官員:各司司長、副司長、各局局長、廉政專員、審計署署長、警務處處長、入境事務處處長、海關關長;建議中央人民政府免除上述官員職務 ...

根據基本法第56條,行政長官在作出重要決策、向立法會提交法案、制定附屬法規和解散立法會前,須徵詢行政會議的意見,但人事任免、紀律制裁和緊急情況下採取的措施除外。

而根據基本法第57條,香港特別行政區設立廉政公署,獨立工作,對行政長官負責。

結論:作為特區首長及政府首長,行政長官督導及建議任免廉政專員職務,其行政憲制職能不應被終審法院首席法官僭越。個人認為,有關建議違反基本法。

至於行政長官是否(及如何)受《防止賄賂條例》規範,這是另外一個複雜的憲制問題。

。。。

第四十八條
香港特別行政區行政長官行使下列職權:

( 一 ) 領導香港特別行政區政府;
( 二 ) 負責執行本法和依照本法適用於香港特別行政區的其他法律;
( 三 ) 簽署立法會通過的法案,公布法律;
簽署立法會通過的財政預算案,將財政預算、決算報中央人民政府備案;
( 四 ) 決定政府政策和發布行政命令;
( 五 ) 提名並報請中央人民政府任命下列主要官員:各司司長、副司長,各局局長,廉政專員,審計署署長,警務處處長,入境事務處處長,海關關長;建議中央人民政府免除上述官員職務;
( 六 ) 依照法定程序任免各級法院法官;
( 七 ) 依照法定程序任免公職人員;
( 八 ) 執行中央人民政府就本法規定的有關事務發出的指令;
( 九 ) 代表香港特別行政區政府處理中央授權的對外事務和其他事務;
( 十 ) 批准向立法會提出有關財政收入或支出的動議;
( 十一 ) 根據安全和重大公共利益的考慮,決定政府官員或其他負責政府公務的人員是否向立法會或其屬下的委員會作證和提供證據;
( 十二 ) 赦免或減輕刑事罪犯的刑罰;
( 十三 ) 處理請願、申訴事項。

軍火商

北韓給世界的啟示:原來預期擁有核武已經對強大的美國產生阻嚇作用,因此可以想像擁有數十枚以至百枚已經足夠。當年美蘇各自擁有過萬個核彈頭,原來只是軍火商的詭計。最近美國向沙特及印度軍售,同出一轍。

你會相信平壤不會首先使用核武嗎?

你會相信平壤不會首先使用核武嗎?

事已至此,南韓部署薩德系統根本沒有幫助,那麼近,一旦事情發生了也救不了。反而有關部署是針對中國還能相信。南韓為何不放棄薩德系統而與中國和好,以免在經濟上被邊緣化呢?

RTHK:北韓常駐聯合國副代表金仁龍強調,北韓不會因外界壓力而放棄發展核武器。他在安理會一次會議上表示,北韓的核力量以自我防衛為目的,不管可能面對何種制裁、壓力或者軍事攻擊,平壤不會從發展核武,以保護國家主權和民族權利的道路上退縮。金仁龍又說,朝鮮半島局勢緊張的根本原因是美國對北韓採取敵對政策,北韓是一個負責任的有核國家,除非敵對勢力首先使用核武侵犯北韓主權,否則平壤不會首先使用核武。

公眾妨擾罪最高可判刑7年

"影響警方的反恐保安行動" 將會是考慮判刑的重要因素。公眾妨擾罪最高可判刑7年。

RTHK:人民力量、社民連及香港眾志等多名成員,昨日傍晚包圍及攀爬上灣仔金紫荊廣場的紫荊花雕塑。警方約3個小時後採取拘捕行動,將示威者逐一帶走,26人被捕。警方譴責示威人士妄顧自身及公眾安全,批評他們擾動公共秩序,影響警方的反恐保安行動。

25 June 2017

基本法

除了未就第23條及普選立法,《基本法》有以下稱謂應該更正:

政務司長、財政司長、律政司長(不是xx司司長)

Administrative Secretary (不是 Chief Secretary)

Secretary of Justice (不是 Secretary for Justice)。

副司長(未設立) ...

12 June 2017

liberal democracy

after Cameron, now Theresa May ... the western world of liberal democracy witnesses the demise of elitism and the rise of populism (with the general public empowered by the internet), also in the US and France ... i remember Amadeus in which Salieri said, "mediocrity, i absolve thee".

此乃劣幣驅逐良幣。

10 June 2017

Occupy Mongkok

It appears that Chu has a high chance of winning this case. Proving that he didn't act in "good faith" is quite difficult on the prosecution's part.

" ... 如該作為是真誠地作出,... 則該人無須就該作為負上支付損害賠償或其他方面的法律責任。 "

Section 46
(1)Whenever in this Ordinance it is provided that such force as may be necessary may be used for any purpose, the degree of force which may be so used shall not be greater than is reasonably necessary for that purpose.
(2)Nothing in this section shall derogate from the lawful right of any person to use force in the defence of person or property.
(3)Any person who uses such force as may be necessary for any purpose, in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance, shall not be liable in any criminal or civil proceeding for having, by the use of such force, caused injury or death to any person or damage to or loss of any property.

Section 53
Without prejudice to the provisions of section 46, no person acting in good faith under the provisions of this Ordinance shall be liable in damages or otherwise for any act done by him in pursuance or exercise of any obligation, duty or power imposed or conferred, or reasonably supposed to be imposed or conferred, on him by this Ordinance, if done in good faith, and done or purported to be done in the execution of his duty or for the public safety or for the defence of Hong Kong or for the enforcement of discipline or otherwise in the public interest, if such person be a person holding office under or employed in the service of the Government in any capacity, or be a member of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, or be an officer or member of the Government Flying Service or a member of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force acting as such or be a person acting under the authority of a person so holding office or so employed or such an officer or member.


http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2097634/retired-hong-kong-policeman-occupy-assault-case-acted-good

09 June 2017

judicial review

Ronny Tong SC said that the Director of Legal Aid's decision might be ultra vires given that BL35 provides that Hong Kong residents shall have the right to institute legal proceedings in the courts against the acts of the executive authorities and their personnel. I think he argues that this right is absolute.

On the other hand, BL4 provides that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall safeguard the rights and freedoms of the residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and of other persons in the Region in accordance with law. I would submit that the last few words "in accordance with law" imply that such rights and freedoms are not absolute.

06 June 2017

NPCSC Interpretation

Supposing a crime was committed on 1 Jan, and the case was brought to court on 1 April and in due course the CFA sought an interpretation of the relevant BL article on 1 June, and an Interpretation was given on 1 Sept.  If according to the authors there should not be any retrospective effect, it would imply that the Interpretation could not apply to this case which happened on 1 Jan.  If so, it would defeat the purpose of seeking the Interpretation.  In short, the Interpretation must have retrospective effect.

http://researchblog.law.hku.hk/2017/05/pj-yap-and-eric-chan-on-legislative.html?showComment=1496740691015&m=1#c3705000557792883040

03 June 2017

一帶一路

一帶一路沿線國家,一直以來無人問津,皆因太窮,沒生意可做。但經中國穿針引線,以交通運輸基建、文化交流等舉措,通其有無,以產生協同效應。統一制訂標準,例如路軌,可視之為插旗,擴大市場佔有率,並加快人民幣國際化。此外,眾多國家參與其中,形成你中有我、我中有你,管控分歧,世世代代共享安定繁榮,此乃國際社會期盼。可是,在一國兩制下,20年下來,香港反而越走越遠。。。

01 June 2017

何謂民主?

何謂民主?為甚麽:

。資本主義認同財富不均,但其自由民主體制卻實行政治平均主義?
。社會主義追求財富均等,但其集體政治體制卻實行民主集中制?
。自由民主體制實行政治平均主義,但其政府、私營公司、工廠、教會、政府資助的學校、非政府機構等等卻實行由上而下的領導?