HK judges must do duty, uphold the law

There was no missing the underlying message when Han Zheng, the top State leader in charge of Hong Kong affairs, categorically urged the executive, legislative and judicial organs of the special administrative region to shoulder their common responsibility to bring the current unrest to an end and restore order in the SAR as soon as possible.

Indeed, Han's remarks at an official meeting with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuetngor in Beijing on Wednesday, will have struck a chord with the majority of Hong Kong people, who have had to put up with the seemingly endless suffering caused by the months-long campaign of disruption being waged by anti-government protesters.

That lenient sentences have been handed down to those found guilty of various offenses related to that campaign has served to fuel rather than end the unrest, as it has sent the wrong message, giving the impression that people can say or do whatever they like - no matter how illegal or violent - as long as they are driven by political cause.