HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s legislators convened in a special session on Tuesday to resume the debate over a proposed national security law. The legislation aims to grant the government greater power to suppress dissent in the southern Chinese city. This law is seen as the latest move in a broader political crackdown following the pro-democracy protests in 2019 and builds upon a similar law imposed by Beijing four years ago that has significantly silenced opposition voices in Hong Kong.
The special session, held a day before the regular legislative sessions, indicates the government’s urgency to expedite the passage of the law. The Legislative Council, dominated by Beijing loyalists after an electoral overhaul, has fast-tracked the debate process. Since the unveiling of the bill on March 8, a committee has been organizing daily meetings. Hong Kong leader John Lee has appealed to push the law through swiftly.
The proposed law includes severe penalties for actions deemed threats to national security, such as treason and insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment. Possession of seditious publications and other lesser offenses may also lead to several years of imprisonment. Additionally, the law allows for criminal prosecutions for acts committed anywhere in the world.
During Tuesday’s meeting, legislators expressed strong support for the law, emphasizing its role in safeguarding national security. Legislative Council President Andrew Leung echoed the sentiment, stating that the sooner the legislation is completed, the quicker national security will be protected.
However, critics are concerned that the new law will further erode civil liberties, which Beijing had pledged to uphold for 50 years after the former British colony’s return to Chinese rule in 1997. Since the 2019 protests and the imposition of Beijing’s National Security Law, Hong Kong’s political landscape has undergone significant changes. Activists have faced prosecution and some have sought refuge outside of Hong Kong. Pro-democracy media outlets have been forced to close, while disillusioned individuals have chosen to leave the city for countries like the U.S., Britain, Canada, and Taiwan.
The Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, mandates the city to enact a national security law. A similar attempt in 2003 led to a massive street protest and the shelving of the legislation. However, the chilling effect of the existing security law has meant the absence of similar protests against the current bill.
Both the Chinese and Hong Kong governments assert that the Beijing-imposed law restored stability after the 2019 protests. They argue that the new security law strikes a balance between security and protecting rights and freedoms. The city government justifies the necessity of the law to prevent a recurrence of protests, asserting that it will only impact a small minority of disloyal residents.
The law specifically targets espionage, disclosing state secrets, and colluding with external forces to commit illegal acts, among other actions. It includes harsher penalties for those convicted of endangering national security, particularly if they are found to be collaborating with foreign governments or organizations. Individuals who intentionally damage public infrastructure to endanger national security could face up to 20 years in prison, or life imprisonment if they collude with external forces.
Businesspeople and journalists have expressed concerns that the law, with its broad provisions against the disclosure of state secrets and foreign interference, could impede their daily work. Observers closely monitor whether the enforcement of the law will extend to other professional sectors and how it will impact the liberties of Hong Kong residents.