January 10, 2025 – Lord Leonard Hoffmann, the longest-serving overseas judge on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (CFA), has renewed his contract for another three years, extending his tenure until the age of 94. The Hong Kong government announced the contract renewal today, stating “his continued commitment to the CFA reflects his strong support for the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong.”
CFHK Foundation echoes its long-standing call for Lord Hoffmann and his fellow non-permanent overseas judges still serving on the CFA to resign. Since 2019, Hong Kong has had more than 1,900 political prisoners. Lord Hoffmann’s decision to stay on, along with fellow British judge Lord Neuberger and four Australian counterparts, is thus utterly deplorable. Their presence undermines their own judicial integrity and lends credibility to Hong Kong’s unjust crackdown on the pro-democracy movement.
Indeed, Lord Hoffmann, who first joined the CFA in 1998, has been involved in cases with significant implications for Hong Kong’s democratic freedoms. In 2014, Lord Hoffmann was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in recognition of his contributions. Some of these contributions include reinstating the convictions of amateur journalist Choy Kin Yue, a decision that was denounced by the Committee to Protect Journalists. He was also instrumental in the expansion of the repressive mask ban in Hong Kong, ensuring that even individuals wearing masks at lawful protests could be prosecuted.
Moreover, Lord Hoffmann’s decision comes in the wake of a wave of resignations by overseas judges last year. Following the publication of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation’s report, "Lending Prestige to Persecution," four overseas non-permanent judges resigned from the CFA, with some citing concerns over the erosion of the rule of law.
Lord Hoffmann, 90, renewed his contract in CFA for another 3 years. (House of Lord)
Among them was Lord Sumption, who stepped down after the controversial guilty verdicts of the Hong Kong 47. In an op-ed last year, Lord Sumption warned of the grave dangers facing the rule of law in Hong Kong, describing it as a state edging towards totalitarianism. Despite calls for Lord Hoffmann to follow his peers and step down, today’s decision suggests he is determined to enjoy the privileges incumbent with his position for as long as he possibly can.
Mark Sabah, Director of the CFHK Foundation, said:
“While British citizen Jimmy Lai languishes in solitary confinement and is paraded around in chains during his show trial, fellow British citizen Lord Hoffmann is relishing in the privileges of the Hong Kong elites. We call on all remaining foreign judges to do the right thing, and immediately resign from the Hong Kong courts, rather than being used by a broken system as proof that it is business as usual in Hong Kong.”
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