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[懶人包] 為何香港的法治岌岌可危？
[懶人包] 為何香港的法治岌岌可危？Hong Kong’s Rule of Law under Threat, Explained [/size=6][/b]
一、何謂「法治」？
香港的法治一向為人稱道，被視為香港過去半世紀經濟及民生迅速發展的基石。然而，當法治被香港人視為理所當然之時，其意義以及潛在的威脅卻一直未為人所關注。
法治的定義極其複雜，不同的法理學者有相異的看法。然而，絕大部分人均認同法治並非只是「按照法律審判罪犯」這般簡單。
簡而言之，法治是指一個國家的法律制度不但有效地保障了公民的權利，也約束了政府的權力。
法治往往與民主政體及公民社會息息相關。例如國際正義工程(World Justice Project) 每年公佈全球各國的法治指數，其中便涵蓋了不同的法治指標：「對政府權力的制衡」、「消除貪污」、「政府開放度」、「基本權利」、「秩序與治安」、「監管執法」、「民事司法」及「刑事司法」。而歷史上，民主政制是開放、保障公民基本權利及有權力制衡的政府的先決條件。由此可見，法治的成功，並不能只依靠法官的公正無私，也需要民主政制的支持。
二、香港法治面臨的威脅
香港法治面臨最大的威脅就是香港不民主的體制。近年，在上述的全球法治指數中，香港的排名一直位居第十六至十七位；中國的排名則一直維持在七十六至八十位。然而，中國的國家機構「全國人大常委會」卻掌握解釋香港《基本法》的權力。香港的法庭只能跟從中國對《基本法》的解釋，以往的人大釋法便肆意更改了在香港實行普選的條件以及立法會議員宣誓就任的要求。
此外，香港政府的決策亦受到中國政府的影響。作為政府的一部分，警察和律政司擁有龐大資源和權力，可以作出選擇性執法及檢控。例如雨傘運動期間警察毆打示威者的案件，律政司便拖延良久才檢控；反之，律政司則對示威者窮追猛打，打破慣例上訴要求加刑。
三、公民抗命會否損害法治？
不少人會質疑示威者公民抗命的行為必然違法，因而會損害法治。然而，正如同本港終審法院非常任法官賀輔明所言，公民抗命並不會損害法治，反之，能包容公民抗命是文明社會的印記。
1）What is the rule of law?
Hong Kong’s rule of law is acclaimed and is seen as the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s rapid development economically and socially during the past 50 years. However, when Hong Kong citizens take it for granted, few concern the significance of and underlying threats to the rule of law in Hong Kong.
The definition of the rule of law is highly complicated, and different legal scholars hold varying opinions. However, most agree that the rule of law is not as simple as “trying criminals according to the laws”.
In short, the rule of law means that a country’s legal system does not only effectively safeguard its citizens’ rights, but also restrain the government’s power.
The rule of law is inextricably intertwined with a democratic polity and a civil society. For instance, the annual Rule of Law Index issued by the World Justice Project assessing each country’s rule of law includes different factors for measurement: “constraints on government powers”, “absence of corruption”, “open government”, “fundamental rights”, “order and security”, “regulatory enforcement”, “civil justice”, and “criminal justice”. History has shown that a democratic political system is the prerequisite of a government that is open, which protects its citizens’ rights, and whose power is restrained. Hence, the rule of law’s success cannot rely solely on the fair and selfless judges. It requires the support of a democratic political system.
2) Threats faced by Hong Kong’s rule of law
The biggest threat faced by Hong Kong’s rule of law is its undemocratic system. In the aforementioned Rule of Law Index in recent years, Hong Kong ranks the 16th or the 17th, while China ranks around the 76th and the 80th. However, China’s national organization, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC), controls the power to interpret Hong Kong’s Basic Law. Hong Kong’s courts can only follow China’s interpretation of the Basic Law. In the past, NPCSC’s interpretation of the Basic Law has arbitrarily changed the prerequisites of Hong Kong’s to have universal suffrage, and the requirements of oath-taking of Legislative Council’s members.
Furthermore, Hong Kong government’s decision is influenced by Chinese government. As parts of the Hong Kong government, the police and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have huge resources and power, to enforce the law and prosecute selectively against protesters. For example, the DOJ procrastinated to prosecute policemen who were alleged to beat protesters during the Umbrella Movement. In shape contrast, the DOJ picked on protesters and applied to review their sentences despite it was not the usual practice.
3) Can civil disobedience harm the rule of law?
Some may question that protesters’ acts of civil disobedience must violate laws and thus harm the rule of law. However, as stated by Lord Hoffmann, the non-permanent judge of the Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, civil disobedience does not harm the rule of law. On the contrary, it is the mark of a civilized community that it can accommodate civil disobedience.
https://www.facebook.com/seehongkong/photos/a.1379531775479108.1073741831.1377173499048269/1379426968822922/?type=3&theater;
一、何謂「法治」？
香港的法治一向為人稱道，被視為香港過去半世紀經濟及民生迅速發展的基石。然而，當法治被香港人視為理所當然之時，其意義以及潛在的威脅卻一直未為人所關注。
法治的定義極其複雜，不同的法理學者有相異的看法。然而，絕大部分人均認同法治並非只是「按照法律審判罪犯」這般簡單。
簡而言之，法治是指一個國家的法律制度不但有效地保障了公民的權利，也約束了政府的權力。
法治往往與民主政體及公民社會息息相關。例如國際正義工程(World Justice Project) 每年公佈全球各國的法治指數，其中便涵蓋了不同的法治指標：「對政府權力的制衡」、「消除貪污」、「政府開放度」、「基本權利」、「秩序與治安」、「監管執法」、「民事司法」及「刑事司法」。而歷史上，民主政制是開放、保障公民基本權利及有權力制衡的政府的先決條件。由此可見，法治的成功，並不能只依靠法官的公正無私，也需要民主政制的支持。
二、香港法治面臨的威脅
香港法治面臨最大的威脅就是香港不民主的體制。近年，在上述的全球法治指數中，香港的排名一直位居第十六至十七位；中國的排名則一直維持在七十六至八十位。然而，中國的國家機構「全國人大常委會」卻掌握解釋香港《基本法》的權力。香港的法庭只能跟從中國對《基本法》的解釋，以往的人大釋法便肆意更改了在香港實行普選的條件以及立法會議員宣誓就任的要求。
此外，香港政府的決策亦受到中國政府的影響。作為政府的一部分，警察和律政司擁有龐大資源和權力，可以作出選擇性執法及檢控。例如雨傘運動期間警察毆打示威者的案件，律政司便拖延良久才檢控；反之，律政司則對示威者窮追猛打，打破慣例上訴要求加刑。
三、公民抗命會否損害法治？
不少人會質疑示威者公民抗命的行為必然違法，因而會損害法治。然而，正如同本港終審法院非常任法官賀輔明所言，公民抗命並不會損害法治，反之，能包容公民抗命是文明社會的印記。
1）What is the rule of law?
Hong Kong’s rule of law is acclaimed and is seen as the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s rapid development economically and socially during the past 50 years. However, when Hong Kong citizens take it for granted, few concern the significance of and underlying threats to the rule of law in Hong Kong.
The definition of the rule of law is highly complicated, and different legal scholars hold varying opinions. However, most agree that the rule of law is not as simple as “trying criminals according to the laws”.
In short, the rule of law means that a country’s legal system does not only effectively safeguard its citizens’ rights, but also restrain the government’s power.
The rule of law is inextricably intertwined with a democratic polity and a civil society. For instance, the annual Rule of Law Index issued by the World Justice Project assessing each country’s rule of law includes different factors for measurement: “constraints on government powers”, “absence of corruption”, “open government”, “fundamental rights”, “order and security”, “regulatory enforcement”, “civil justice”, and “criminal justice”. History has shown that a democratic political system is the prerequisite of a government that is open, which protects its citizens’ rights, and whose power is restrained. Hence, the rule of law’s success cannot rely solely on the fair and selfless judges. It requires the support of a democratic political system.
2) Threats faced by Hong Kong’s rule of law
The biggest threat faced by Hong Kong’s rule of law is its undemocratic system. In the aforementioned Rule of Law Index in recent years, Hong Kong ranks the 16th or the 17th, while China ranks around the 76th and the 80th. However, China’s national organization, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC), controls the power to interpret Hong Kong’s Basic Law. Hong Kong’s courts can only follow China’s interpretation of the Basic Law. In the past, NPCSC’s interpretation of the Basic Law has arbitrarily changed the prerequisites of Hong Kong’s to have universal suffrage, and the requirements of oath-taking of Legislative Council’s members.
Furthermore, Hong Kong government’s decision is influenced by Chinese government. As parts of the Hong Kong government, the police and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have huge resources and power, to enforce the law and prosecute selectively against protesters. For example, the DOJ procrastinated to prosecute policemen who were alleged to beat protesters during the Umbrella Movement. In shape contrast, the DOJ picked on protesters and applied to review their sentences despite it was not the usual practice.
3) Can civil disobedience harm the rule of law?
Some may question that protesters’ acts of civil disobedience must violate laws and thus harm the rule of law. However, as stated by Lord Hoffmann, the non-permanent judge of the Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, civil disobedience does not harm the rule of law. On the contrary, it is the mark of a civilized community that it can accommodate civil disobedience.
https://www.facebook.com/seehongkong/photos/a.1379531775479108.1073741831.1377173499048269/1379426968822922/?type=3&theater;
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