The Rule of Law Safeguards, Education and Strength
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his study looks at the values and perceptions of youth concerning the rule of law in Hong Kong, as well as the challenges to their faith in it amidst the political and social unrest of recent years. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the rule of law is defined as “The authority and influence of law in society, especially when viewed as a constraint on individual and institutional behaviour; (hence) the principle whereby all members of a society (including those in government) are considered equally subject to publicly disclosed legal codes and processes. Everyone is accountable to the law and equal before the law. As 1 defined by the World Justice Project, “Effective rule of law reduces corruption, combats poverty and disease, and protects people from injustices large and small. It is the foundation for communities of justice, opportunity, and peace, underpinning development, accountable government and respect for fundamental rights.” Yet the HKSAR’s performance in adherence to the rule of law has fallen according to international rankings, 2 from 17 to 19 since 2015. The recent spate of social unrest in which quite a large number of people were involved in unlawful activities has seriously impacted upon the stability of the city. As of 31 July 2021, 10,265 people 3 had been arrested for “illegal acts” related to the 2019 protests. Of them, quite a significant number were young people and 4,009 were students. This has raised concerns about young people’s faith in the rule of law as implemented in Hong Kong and, this study hopes to offer insight into ways in which the government, young people and society as a whole might join hands to safeguard the city’s long-established rule of law. Accountability to the law
Equality before the law Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) states: "All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law."* Equality before the law and equal protection by the law requires a systematic rule of law that observes due process to provide equal justice, and requires equal protection ensuring that no individual nor group of individuals be privileged over others by the law. It arises from questions concerning equality, fairness and justice. This general guarantee of equality is provided by most of the world's national constitution and has been adopted by China. Source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights
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“The rule of law and accountability for human rights violations are critical for prevention of violations, conflict, and violence, the building and sustaining of peace, and achievement of inclusive development,” according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) which represents the world's commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Governance systems are needed in which all duty bearers, institutions and entities, public or private, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, independently adjudicated, and consistent with international human rights norms and standards. However, as the UNHCR also states, “All countries face challenges in meeting these standards.” Source ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/ManagementPlan/Pages/law-accountability.aspx
