On June 15, Carrie Lam announced that the Hong Kong Government has decided to suspend the revision of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (Send to China Ordinance) until the government completes communication
Source: [Government Suspends the Revision of Fugitive Offenders Ordinance] (https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2019/06/20190615/20190615_151123_795.html)
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The Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that the government has decided to suspend the revision of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and resume communication with the community. After the government integrates its opinions, it will report to the Security Affairs Committee of the Legislative Council and consult members to decide on the next step.
When she met with the media today, Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that the government proposed to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance to deal with murders in Taiwan and to improve Hong Kong's legal system. After listening to the opinions of the community, the government revised the proposals twice.
She said that she and the relevant officials have tried their best, but there are still deficiencies in explanation and communication. Although many people agree with the original intention of the amendment, the community still has extremely divided opinions on the Bill. Many citizens have worries, doubts and incomprehensions, and they also have suspicions about the amendment process. The government has tried to narrow the differences, hoping to dispel doubts.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that in the past week, tens of thousands of citizens participated in parades and rallies. There were more serious clashes in the early hours of Monday morning and Wednesday in the Admiralty area, resulting in injuries to many policemen, media workers and citizens. Distressed.
She said that as a responsible government, it is necessary to uphold the law and discipline, and also to assess the situation, to protect the best welfare of Hong Kong, so that the society can return to calm as soon as possible, so as to avoid further harm to law enforcement officers and citizens.
Carrie Lam pointed out that considering that Taiwan has repeatedly stated publicly that it does not accept the transfer of Taiwanese murder suspect Chen Tongjia under the arrangement proposed by the SAR government, the urgency of passing the bill in this legislative year may no longer exist. In the past two days, the government has repeatedly studied and decided to postpone the work on the legislative amendment, re-communication with all sectors of the community, to give more explanations, and to listen to the community's views on the bill in an open manner.
She said that the Secretary for Security will write to the President of the Legislative Council today to withdraw the notice on the resumption of the second reading debate on the bill. The work of the Legislative Council Assembly in handling the bill will be suspended until the government has completed communication, explanations and listening to opinions. The government has no intention to set a time limit for the relevant work.
Carrie Lam is grateful to the establishment members and citizens who have always supported the government's legislative amendments, as well as citizens and organizations that have not supported the legislative amendments but have been expressing their opinions in a peaceful and rational manner. She described Hong Kong as a civilized, free, open and pluralistic society, which is in need of mutual respect and a spirit of harmony and diversity.
She also said that she and her management team proposed amendments out of love for Hong Kong and concern for Hong Kong people. She believes that the amendment was correct at the beginning. However, due to the lack of government work and various reasons, the relatively peaceful Hong Kong society for the past two years has recurred great contradictions and disputes. Many citizens are disappointed and distressed. She also feels very sad about this. regret.
Carrie Lam said that the government will accept criticism with the most sincere and humble attitude, make improvements, and continue to walk with the public. She also said that being proud of being a public servant will use 40 years of public servant experience to improve people's livelihood and economy, and create a better future for Hong Kong.