05/11/2016
In response to the recent controversy regarding the untimely interpretation of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (“NPCSC”) on Basic Law Article 104, the Undergraduate Law Society of the Student Union of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (“The Society”) hereby makes the following statement:
Although the society acknowledges that the controversial acts of Mr. Leung Chung Hang Sixtus and Ms Yau Wai-ching may be inappropriate, the society does not agree that this is a sufficient justification for the NPCSC to interpret the Basic Law at this stage.
The Society believes interpreting the Basic Law at this point in time will negatively affect the Judiciary’s independence and the power of final adjudication. It will also deter the high degree of autonomy promised under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, as well as the Basic Law, damaging confidence in the Hong Kong legal system domestically and internationally.
Judicial independence is a core value of Hong Kong, and is undoubtedly a cornerstone of the common law, as well as the rule of law. On 3 November 2016, the Court of First Instance of the High Court of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region heard the case before Mr. Justice Au Hing-cheung, the presiding judge, regarding the Legislative Council oath-taking by Mr. Leung Chung Hang Sixtus and Ms Yau Wai-ching, signifying the matter has entered judicial process. Unfortunately, the NPCSC chose to announce a pending interpretation, while the case was awaiting judgment. In effect, this interpretation will possibly be the first interpretation by the NPCSC to be delivered while a case is still in judicial proceedings, and on their own authority.
The Society disagrees with the NPCSC acting upon the mere possibility of this issue meeting the criteria set out in Article 158 of the Basic Law. Article 158 of the Basic Law vests Hong Kong courts with the ability to interpret provisions, unless the Court of Final Appeal is required to seek interpretations from the NPCSC under scenarios stipulated in Article 158(3). The concerned legal proceeding has not yet reached the Court of Final Appeal; hence there is merely a possibility that the issue will ultimately require an interpretation from the NPCSC to clarify Article 104.
There is no doubt that the power of interpretation of the Basic Law rests ultimately with the NPCSC, however, it is unprecedented that the Chairman of the NPCSC requested an interpretation upon his own authority, under the circumstances mentioned above. The Society strongly believes that such power of interpretation should be exercised in a strictly reasonable and respectful manner, and with the highest degree of restraint.
The Society deeply regrets the decision of the NPCSC, and in response, will attend the silent march on 8 November 2016 in an effort to defend and uphold the fundamental principles of our legal system.
Undergraduate Law Society
of the Student Union
of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
6 November 2016
就有關全國人民代表大會常務委員會（「全國人大常委會」）將對香港基本法第104條文進行釋法的此項爭議，香港中文大學學生會法律學院院會（「本會」）現作聲明如下：
本會明白候任立法會議員梁頌恆及游蕙禎在立法會內具爭議性的宣誓方式可能是不適宜的行為，但本會認為這並非一個充份的理由讓全國人大常委會在此時對中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法作出解釋。
本會認為於此時釋法會對香港的司法獨立和終審權帶來負面影響，以及妨礙香港在「一國兩制」下所享有的高度自治權，同時亦損害香港市民對香港司法制度的信心。
司法獨立一直是香港的核心價值，更是行使香港法治精神及普通法制度的基石。於二零一六年十一月三日，有關候任立法會議員梁頌恆及游蕙禎在立法會宣誓的案件已於香港特別行政區高等法院原訟法庭進行聆訴，事件已經進入司法程序，法官區慶祥亦已表示會盡快進行判決。換而言之，全國人大常委會正嘗試為一件尚未完成司法程序進行判決的案件進行釋法。是次事件將會是全國人大常委會首次主動為尚在司法程序審核中的案件進行釋法。
本會反對全國人大常委會只因案件日後有可能符合基本法第158條所設置的釋法標準便行使其釋法權。基本法第158條賦予香港自行解釋條款的權力，除非當遇到基本法第158(3)條所列明的情況，終審法院才需要向全國人大常委會申請對有關條款作出解釋。現時，案件尚未被上訴至終審法院，而終審法院只是有可能會向全國人大常委會提呈就有爭議的基本法第104條進行釋法。
本會深信釋法權應嚴格地以合理、尊重和克制的方式行使。無疑全國人大常委會的確擁有對基本法的最終解釋權。然而，由全國人大常委會委員長自行決定進行釋法卻是前所未見的。
本會對於全國人大常委會的決定表示極度遺憾。因此，本會幹事將會參與法律界別於二零一六年十一月八日所舉行的靜默遊行，以表本會對堅守香港司法制度核心價值的決心。
香港中文大學學生會法律學院院會
二零一六年十一月六日
Official English Version:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzfl10K-krvwZGNSTk11cWRSOVU/view?usp=sharing
Official Chinese Version:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzfl10K-krvwMks2c090SWliczA/view?usp=sharing
Aquila
Undergraduate Law Society, CUSU, CUHK
Session 2016-2017
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