Asia

Hong Kong lawmakers lose legal battle over oaths

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Newly elected Hong Kong lawmaker Yau Wai-ching leaves the high court in Hong Kong Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Two newly elected Hong Kong separatist lawmakers who used anti-China insults when being sworn in were disqualified from taking office in a court decision Tuesday. A Hong Kong High Court judge ruled that Sixtus Leung and Yau of the Youngspiration party violated a section of the semiautonomous Chinese city's constitution, the Basic Law, as well as laws covering oaths taken by officials. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (The Associated Press)

Newly elected Hong Kong lawmaker Yau Wai-ching listens to reporter's questions outside the high court in Hong Kong Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Two newly elected Hong Kong separatist lawmakers who used anti-China insults when being sworn in were disqualified from taking office in a court decision Tuesday. A Hong Kong High Court judge ruled that Sixtus Leung and Yau of the Youngspiration party violated a section of the semiautonomous Chinese city's constitution, the Basic Law, as well as laws covering oaths taken by officials. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (The Associated Press)

Newly elected Hong Kong lawmaker Yau Wai-ching displays jury's decision as she is surrounded by photographers and reporters outside the high court in Hong Kong Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Two newly elected Hong Kong separatist lawmakers who used anti-China insults when being sworn in were disqualified from taking office in a court decision Tuesday. A Hong Kong High Court judge ruled that Sixtus Leung and Yau of the Youngspiration party violated a section of the semiautonomous Chinese city's constitution, the Basic Law, as well as laws covering oaths taken by officials. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (The Associated Press)

A Hong Kong court has disqualified a pair of newly elected separatist lawmakers from taking office after they swore and used anti-China insults while giving their oath to be sworn in.

Hong Kong's high court ruled Tuesday that Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-Ching of the Youngspiration party contravened a section of the semiautonomous Chinese city's constitution covering oaths taken by officials.