The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:

     The Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Members) today (June 10) issued the following statement on the public procession on the Government's proposed amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance yesterday.

     The ExCo Members noted that a large number of people took part in a public procession yesterday on the Government's proposed amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. The procession, which was conducted in an orderly manner, illustrated that the rights of Hong Kong people to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression were fully protected by the Basic Law. The ExCo Members, however, expressed regrets over the violent acts of a small number of protesters near the Legislative Council Complex in the small hours of today.

     The ExCo Members reiterated their support to the Government's legislative exercise to ensure that justice be done, observe Hong Kong's obligations in combating transnational crimes, avoid Hong Kong from becoming a bolt-hole for criminals and safeguard Hong Kong's international reputation in the legal aspects. The Government has explained in detail on multiple occasions the rationale behind the amendments, the respective categories of offences and the legal and administrative safeguards to allay worries raised earlier by different sectors of the community.

     The ExCo Members hope that the Government will continue to enhance communication and publicity in response to public concerns on the matter, and call on members of the public to consider the objectives of the amendment bill as well as its content in a calm and reasonable manner and support the Government's legislative exercise.

Ends/Monday, June 10, 2019
Issued at HKT 9:50

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