Hong Kong’s Law Society and Bar Association have joined forces to condemn graffiti on the High Court building criticising a judge as an ‘outrageous’ attack on the rule of law. The joint statement by the two representative bodies is the latest of a series of public interventions in which they have sought to defend the courts and judiciary from criticism from both protestors and pro-government groups as the protests show no signs of abating.

According to the South China Morning Post, the graffiti was scrawled on the High Court building on New Year’s Day after an approved march was cut short by police amid violent clashes.

It concerned Madam Justice Anthea Pang Po-kam, who had previously sentenced a prominent pro-independence protestor to jail for taking part in unrest in 2016.

The statement called for Article 85 of the Basic Law to be upheld, which, it claimed, ‘provides that the courts of Hong Kong shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference’.

‘Abusive comments implying that judicial decisions were made or influenced by political considerations are wholly unjustified,’ the statement said. ‘Any attempt to insult, threaten and bring public pressure on a judge because of decisions made in the course of performing judicial duties is to be deplored as an affront to the rule of law and judicial integrity.’

This is the second time in recent weeks that the Law Society has condemned ‘criminal damage’ inflicted on court buildings. 

However, the body has also previously moved to defend the judiciary against criticism by supporters of the Chinese government who have called for Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li to resign amid allegations of judicial leniency towards protestors.

The protests were sparked in June amid fears over a Bill to allow extradition to mainland China and have continued to escalate despite the Bill’s withdrawal in September. 

While the dozens of international law firms that maintain hubs in Hong Kong have refrained from commenting on the political situation, the International Bar Association (IBA) has been more forthright.

In September, the IBA’s Human Rights Institute accused the police of meting out brutality against protestors and journalists and called for an independent investigation.

“Hong Kong’s rule of law cannot and must not be eroded,” said the institute’s co-chair, Michael Kirby. “The right to protest is vital in a democratic society, and human rights such as the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press should be upheld and defended.”