Law Society, Bar Association slam abusive comments

Protesters sprayed graffiti on the High Court Building, insulting judge Anthea Pang, on New Year's Day.

The Bar Association and the Law Society on Thursday condemned abusive comments directed at a judge.



Protesters sprayed graffiti on the High Court Building, insulting judge Anthea Pang, on New Year's Day.



In a joint statement, the two groups called the graffiti "outrageous".



"Article 85 of the Basic Law provides that the courts of Hong Kong shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference," the statement said.



The statement said "abusive comments implying that judicial decisions were made or influenced by political considerations are wholly unjustified".



"Any attempt to insult, threaten and bring public pressure on a judge because of decisions made in the course of performing judicial duties is to be deplored as an affront to the rule of law and judicial integrity," it added.