香港眾志成員周庭被拒參選立法會港島區補選,受國際社會關注。歐盟日前發表聲明,表示此舉會損害香港聲譽。本報向美國駐港總領事館查詢對此事看法,發言人指,他們早前已表明,美國堅定支持香港的高度自治、法治、對人權和基本自由尊重:「我們支持表達自由,並相信當不同政見可以獲表達時,才是對社會最好。」
英國外交部也發聲明表示憂慮。發言人指,被選舉權是港人的基本權利,受《基本法》第26條及《香港人權法案條例》保障。而高度自治、權利和自由是香港生活模式的核心,應受到充分尊重。
特別政府發表聲明回應指,香港自回歸以來一直嚴格按《基本法》實行高度自治、「港人治港」。特區政府一直尊重及維護香港居民依法享有的權利,包括選舉權和被選舉權。發言人重申,選舉主任是基於事實根據及法律要求,決定一名參與2018年立法會補選的人士因不符合《立法會條例》的規定以致其提名無效,與部分社會人士指稱的限制言論自由或剝奪參選權無關。
【美領館回應全文】
“As we have said before, the United States firmly supports Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. We support freedom of expression and believe that societies are best served when diverse political views can be expressed.”
【英國外交部回應全文】
“We are concerned by the rejection of Agnes Chow’s nomination for the forthcoming Legislative Council by-election. The right to stand for election is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 26 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.
Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, and its rights and freedoms, are central to its way of life, and it is important that they should be fully respected.”
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