The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government expresses its strong opposition to, and resolute denunciation of, the unfounded remarks and unwarranted criticism regarding an MSAR court’s lawful adjudication of the city’s first national security case, contained in the so-called Recommendation on “European Union-China political relations” recently adopted by the European Parliament.
The adjudication of the case endangering national security, processed by the MSAR judiciary, is in accordance with the law and is purely an internal affair of the MSAR. Under no circumstances will any external forces be allowed to interfere.
Judicial independence in the MSAR is strictly protected under the Macao Basic Law. Judges adjudicate independently in accordance with relevant laws, free from any interference. Under the Macao Basic Law, the international human rights instruments applicable to the MSAR, and local legislation, all persons charged with a criminal offence are entitled to full procedural rights. The procedural rights of the suspect concerned in Macao’s first national security case have been fully protected in accordance with relevant laws.
The European Parliament, ignoring the facts and applying double standards in assessing the sound rule of law in the MSAR, has made an attempt to interfere in the MSAR’s judicial affairs. This is in blatant defiance of international law and the basic norms governing international relations. The European Parliament’s move clearly demonstrates to the international community its gross disregard for the principles of the rule of law.
The MSAR Government strongly urges the European Parliament to cease immediately its interference – under any pretext – in China’s domestic affairs and the internal affairs of the MSAR, and to immediately stop any form of sabotage and interference in the MSAR’s judicial process.
The MSAR Government, as always, respects and supports the judiciary’s independent exercise of its power of adjudication in accordance with relevant laws. The MSAR Government will as always resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and firmly defend the dignity of the rule of law in Macao.