UN human rights experts expressed strong condemnation over the disbarment and financial penalties imposed on lawyer Kevin Yam in Hong Kong, suggesting these actions were reprisals for his statements at a May 2023 hearing of the US Congress regarding the independence of Hong Kong’s judiciary. On July 16, 2025, Yam was removed from the Roll of Solicitors, despite not having breached any statutes of the Law Society or its Code of Conduct. The disciplinary proceedings were overseen by a tribunal appointed by the Chief Justice, raising concerns about the motivations behind the decision.
The experts indicated this move is part of a troubling trend where lawyers face retaliation for highlighting rule-of-law issues in Hong Kong. This concern echoes the international scrutiny that has been increasing since the introduction of the 2020 National Security Law. The experts asserted the importance of maintaining an environment where lawyers can work without intimidation, emphasizing that the attempt to silence lawyers through disbarment is a significant violation of international legal norms. The UN issued a statement underscoring this infringement as an unacceptable assault on free expression and the rights of legal practitioners, potentially setting a worrisome precedent in Hong Kong and China.
Such measures contravene established standards like the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which ensure legal professionals perform their duties without undue interference. These principles apply to Hong Kong due to China’s UN membership and commitment to upholding international standards. The UN experts have engaged with the Chinese government to address these concerns, underlining the incident’s stark implications for legal independence and freedom of expression.
In a related development, South China Morning Post reported broader debates within Hong Kong’s legal community about the impact of the National Security Law on their profession. This context further highlights ongoing tensions between legal professionals in Hong Kong and the authorities, emphasizing the precarious state of judicial independence amid political pressures.