Hong Kong lawmakers have passed a new national security law that grants the government more power to suppress dissent, in what is seen as a further crackdown on political freedom in the region. The Safeguarding National Security Bill expands authorities’ ability to prosecute citizens for a range of offenses related to national security.
The law, approved during a special session, includes provisions that allow for prosecution of citizens for offenses such as colluding with external forces, treason, insurrection, espionage, and disclosing state secrets. The move comes after a previous security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 largely silenced opposition voices in Hong Kong.
Critics fear that the new law will erode civil liberties that Beijing had promised to preserve for 50 years following the city’s return to Chinese rule in 1997. The legislative process was expedited, with the bill being pushed through quickly following an appeal by Hong Kong leader John Lee. The law will come into effect on Saturday and includes stringent penalties for a range of actions deemed threats to national security.
The passage of the law has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, the European Union, the United States, and lawmakers in various countries. Concerns have been raised about the impact of the law on the day-to-day work of businesspeople and journalists, as well as on the long-term attractiveness of Hong Kong as an international business hub.
The move has triggered calls for sanctions against Hong Kong officials and raised questions about the future of the city’s freedoms and democracy. The US State Department expressed concerns over the vagueness of the law’s language and its potential impact on US citizens and businesses. The White House has not yet issued a response to the law.
Overall, the passing of the national security law in Hong Kong has sparked global condemnation and raised fears about the future of political freedom in the region.
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