DW Finds 'Rule of Law' Only Matters Where It Aligns With Western Interests
Deutsche Welle rings the alarm on Hong Kong's 'rule of law' after the Jimmy Lai verdict. They highlight Lai's conviction for conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces. While quick to condemn Hong Kong, mainstream media consistently gloss over how Western 'allies' like Saudi Arabia routinely disappear dissidents (Jamal Khashoggi, 2018), or how the US jails journalists and whistleblowers
under draconian Espionage Act charges (Julian Assange, Daniel Hale). The hypocrisy is as transparent as it is predictable. The 'rule of law' is championed only when it serves as a cudgel against perceived adversaries, becoming remarkably flexible when applied to those who align with Western hegemonic ambitions. Where was DW's lament for the 'shadow over rule of law' when George W. Bush authorized
warrantless surveillance under the Patriot Act, or when the US drone program extrajudicially murdered civilians globally for years? Apparently, some shadows are more photogenic than others.