(To watch the video with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government has put a stop to the fugitive law amendment exercise, so the Fugitive Offenders & Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 is dead.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam made the statement ahead of an Executive Council meeting today, saying the cause of recent grievances and confrontations in society was the Government’s bid to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance.

Mrs Lam also sought to allay concerns the bill may be resubmitted to the Legislative Council.

“I have almost immediately put a stop to the amendment exercise, but there are still lingering doubts about the Government’s sincerity or worries whether the Government will restart the process in the Legislative Council.

“So I reiterate here, there is no such plan. The bill is dead.”

On calls for an independent commission of inquiry into the public order events staged against the fugitive bill, Mrs Lam noted the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) decided last Friday to conduct a fact-finding study on the events that took place from June 9 to July 2 to provide the true situation to the public.

She said: “They are appealing for members of the public, the policemen and the journalists to provide information to this fact-finding study.”

The Chief Executive also said the IPCC has taken on board her requests to try and finish its study within six months and submit a report with its recommendations.

“The report will be open to be public so that everyone will know what has happened during that period.”