Protest against Qld judge Patrick Keane AC KC over his role in Hong Kong’s Appeal Court

Activists have gathered outside Brisbane’s Supreme Court this evening to protest an Australian judge’s role in Hong Kong’s Appeal Court.

Activists outside Brisbane’s Supreme Court to protest an Australian judge’s role in Hong Kong’s Appeal Court.

Activists have gathered outside Brisbane’s Supreme Court this evening to protest an Australian judge’s role in Hong Kong’s Appeal Court.

Judge Patrick Keane AC KC is expected to give a lecture in the Banco Court this evening on Sir Gerard Brennan’s contributions to Australia’s justice system.

Protesters displayed signs outside the courthouse featuring slogans “Free Jimmy Lai” – in reference to the Hong Kong pro-democracy figure.

A large neon sign featured the slogan “Jimmy Lai: Prisoner of Conscience”, created by Melbourne-based artist Steven Cole.

Judge Keane has come under fire from pro-democracy advocates for his involvement in Hong Kong’s controversial Court of Final Appeal.

Multiple foreign judges resigned from their roles with the court earlier this year, with one claiming the rule of law in Hong Kong had been “profoundly compromised”

But four Australian judges, including Judge Keane, remain part of the court as non-permanent judges.

One of the protesters outside court this evening explained that Jimmy Lai was a “really important symbol” in their “fight for freedom” in Hong Kong, after he was jailed there for charges including unlawful assembly.

Protest organiser Mark Tarrant, a Sydney-based lawyer, said a number of protesters had travelled interstate for the event.

Protesters previously attended Judge Keane’s speech at Sydney’s Banco Court on October 22.