The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) expresses its strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the unfounded remarks made today by the European External Action Service, the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and individual members of the European Parliament regarding the first national security case adjudicated by the courts of the Macao SAR in accordance with the law.
Au Kam San is a Chinese citizen. The adjudication by the SAR’s courts, in accordance with the law, of his case involving offences endangering national security is entirely an internal affair of the Macao SAR. The judicial independence of the Macao SAR is strictly safeguarded by the Macao Basic Law. The SAR Government respects and supports the independent adjudication of cases by the judicial authorities in accordance with the law. The Macao SAR’s judicial authorities have consistently adhered to statutory procedures strictly, upheld procedural fairness, conducted trials in accordance with the law and delivered judgments publicly, fully safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of the parties concerned.
Macao’s Criminal Code and Law on Safeguarding National Security adhere to the principle of legality in defining offences and prescribing penalties, and provide rigorous and clear definitions of all offences. The court convicted and sentenced the accused, Au Kam San, strictly on the basis of the applicable legal provisions and the facts established by the evidence. Any relevant arbitrary interference and unjustified accusation will not be tolerated.
Macao’s Law on Safeguarding National Security and its supporting legislation are consistent with the Macao Basic Law, the international human rights covenants applicable to Macao and international practice. While safeguarding national security, they also protect, in accordance with the law, the rights and freedoms enjoyed by residents. No organisation or individual should use “human rights” or “freedom” as a shield for engaging in unlawful activities that endanger national security.
The Macao SAR Government calls on external parties to respect the rulings of the SAR’s courts and firmly opposes any groundless accusations, smears or interference directed at Macao’s judicial proceedings.