Four Hong Kong lawmakers disqualified from parliament due to ‘tone’
Hong Kong — Activists accused Beijing of crippling Hong Kong’s parliament on Friday after four pro-democracy lawmakers were disqualified. The high court judgment is a massive blow for the democracy movement as it means the balance of power in the partially elected legislature swings further to the pro-China camp because opponents do not have enough seats to veto bills. Former Umbrella Movement protest leader Nathan Law was among those barred in a case brought by the semi-autonomous city’s Beijing-friendly government after the four changed their oaths of office to reflect frustrations with Chinese authorities. Law was one of several rebel lawmakers to secure a foothold in parliament at citywide elections in September 2016 in what was seen as a victory for the protest movement. But that triumph was soon jeopardised after Beijing issued a special interpretation of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution in November to insist oaths be taken in a "sincere and solemn" manner. The unprecedented inte...
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