Maggie Ho reports.
Family members and survivors of the Lamma Ferry disaster say they want to appoint a lawyer to scrutinise an internal government report into the 2012 tragedy.
They're not convinced by the government's contention that there's insufficient evidence to prosecute 17 officials for the accident, and want their own lawyer to make an independent assessment.
The victims and their kin had been given access to a redacted version of the report in April, which had suggested that 17 Marine Department officers may be criminally liable for the tragedy.
But on Wednesday night, they were told by the Justice Secretary Rimsky Yuen that there isn't enough evidence to lay any charges.
Democratic Party lawmaker James To said they want the government to give a criminal lawyer of their choice access to the full report, to go through all the available evidence.
To insists the bereaved family members do not intend to hire lawyer after lawyer to get a desired result.
“We are not trying to shop around, to have a third one, fourth one or a fifth [lawyer]. We only want to nominate one. From the victims families’ point of view, at least they will be more relieved if their chosen counsel, armed with all the documents and evidence, can advise the Secretary for Justice and the victims’ families of a proper decision,” To said.
Thirty-nine people died when two ferries collided off Lamma Island on National Day three years ago. One captain has been jailed eight years, while the other was given a nine-month term. Two marine department officials -- one of them retired -- have been charged with misconduct and giving a false statement in relation to the disaster.
They're not convinced by the government's contention that there's insufficient evidence to prosecute 17 officials for the accident, and want their own lawyer to make an independent assessment.
The victims and their kin had been given access to a redacted version of the report in April, which had suggested that 17 Marine Department officers may be criminally liable for the tragedy.
But on Wednesday night, they were told by the Justice Secretary Rimsky Yuen that there isn't enough evidence to lay any charges.
Democratic Party lawmaker James To said they want the government to give a criminal lawyer of their choice access to the full report, to go through all the available evidence.
To insists the bereaved family members do not intend to hire lawyer after lawyer to get a desired result.
“We are not trying to shop around, to have a third one, fourth one or a fifth [lawyer]. We only want to nominate one. From the victims families’ point of view, at least they will be more relieved if their chosen counsel, armed with all the documents and evidence, can advise the Secretary for Justice and the victims’ families of a proper decision,” To said.
Thirty-nine people died when two ferries collided off Lamma Island on National Day three years ago. One captain has been jailed eight years, while the other was given a nine-month term. Two marine department officials -- one of them retired -- have been charged with misconduct and giving a false statement in relation to the disaster.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1214707-20151001.htm
