The Security Bureau today strongly condemned an organisation for making gravely unfounded allegations against a Police operation in collecting evidence and stressed that to collect evidence pertaining to the investigation is legal, reasonable and rational.
 
It explained that Police's National Security Department yesterday conducted searches with a warrant and seized an exhibit related to an incitement to subversion case under the National Security Law.
 
The organisation concerned attempted to make misleading comments and request for the exhibit’s return under the guise of artistic freedom, and unreasonably condemned and maliciously smeared Police’s lawful enforcement actions, absolutely defying the law and disregarding the rule of law, the bureau said.
 
It made it clear that Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are duty-bound to bring to justice people and entities acting in violation of the city’s laws, including the National Security Law, and that Police actions in question sought to uphold justice.
 
All law enforcement actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the people or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.
 
It further pointed out that, regarding the case concerned involving the present evidence collection, the investigation has all along been ongoing and to collect evidence following the investigation progress in order to take forward the relevant case is legal, reasonable and rational.
 
Article 4 of the National Security Law clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and that the rights and freedoms which Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law.
 
Nonetheless, such rights and freedoms are not absolute, the bureau reiterated.
 
The Hong Kong SAR Government carries out its duties and obligations to safeguard national security in accordance with the law. It safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests while protecting in accordance with the law the rights and freedoms that the city’s residents enjoy, the bureau emphasised.
 
It added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to handle the case concerned in accordance with the law and the organisation concerned should immediately stop making unfounded allegations.