News report on security law refuted
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly condemned a BBC report on remission of sentence under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the fact-twisting remarks by anti-China organisations and wanted persons absconded overseas. In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said that no matter whether before or after the ordinance comes into effect, the granting of early release is never a necessary right to prisoners. It is the Commissioner of Correctional Services’ duty to strictly enforce any prison sentence imposed by the court on each prisoner and any discretion to grant early release of prisoners must be exercised in accordance with the law, the statement added. “There have been cases in which prisoners convicted of offences endangering national security absconded or continued to carry out acts and activities endangering national security when they were granted early release under supervision. “To safeguard national secu