The Hong Kong authorities on Friday banned a former lawmaker who had been removed from office for improper oath-taking two years ago from running in a legi
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong authorities on Friday banned a former lawmaker who had been removed from office for improper oath-taking two years ago from running in a legislature by-election next month.
Lau Siu-lai, who won a seat in the 2016 Legislative Council election but was ousted along with five other pro-democracy legislators-elect after stirring controversy during oath-taking, called the government shameful for accusing her of not genuinely embracing China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong.
A returning officer charged with confirming candidates for the by-election has invalidated Lau’s nomination under the claim that advocacy for self-determination or independence is inconsistent with upholding the Basic Law — the mini-constitution in effect since the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997 — and makes it impossible to pledge allegiance to Hong Kong as required.
Lau was said to have advocated for the right of Hong Kongers to determine their own future, including not ruling out independence as an option.
The government said in a statement it supports the returning officer’s decision while denying any political censorship as alleged.
