Approves security legislation that could limit freedoms

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council approved the controversial national security law on Tuesday, which will take effect on March 23. announced City Executive Director John Lee.

The legislative process was concluded today with a session of the City Parliament, where 89 representatives confirmed the project, which seeks to cover loopholes in the National Security Law imposed by Beijing in June 2020 after the city saw massive anti-government protests in 2019.

The regulations contained in the so-called Article 23 of the Basic Law have raised concerns in the European Union and countries such as the United States, Great Britain and Australia, which have expressed fears that the new regulation will add to the security law. The national law passed in Beijing further restricts the rights and freedoms of Hong Congo.

This law was expressly approved in only 11 days, which is the shortest period in which the law was processed in the city. despite critical voices warning that it could lead to major risks for civil liberties.

Critics see it as the latest step in a broad political crackdown triggered by pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Hong Kong’s security chief, Chris Tang, compared the approval of the third reading of the draft law to the pregnancy of his “newborn” baby who, after so many miscarriages, it evokes mixed feelings.

Tang noted the efforts of both the government and parliament in pushing the new regulations, but attributed their success largely to “residents’ recognition of the importance of preserving national security.”

Article 23 of the Basic Law requires the city to enact its own laws to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the central government or theft of state secrets, preventing foreign political organizations from conducting activities in the city, and vetoing local political groups that establish ties with their foreign counterparts.

The new law includes crimes that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, including treason, rebellion, inciting members of the Chinese armed forces to rebel, as well as colluding with foreign powers to damage or weaken public infrastructure to threaten national security.

During today’s parliamentary session, the Chief of Security tried to clarify doubts about some of these criminal acts.

Tang justified the punishment for the rebellion because “anti-Chinese forces incited hatred and glorified violence.” weaken the conscience of law-abiding citizens and sow the seeds of a colored revolution.”

The government of the former British colony has stressed the urgency of passing the National Security Ordinance in line with its constitutional obligation, which requires the implementation of local regulations covering loopholes in the Beijing-imposed National Security Act.

MP Priscilla Leung explained that “better defined legal boundaries that offer clarity” are needed. and that the city “must announce to the whole world that it is a high quality standard that is in accordance with the principles of common law and meets international standards.”

“Those who experienced the violence in black in 2019 know that without a comprehensive national security ordinance, this will become a lawless city,” he stressed.

Hong Kong began the process of enacting this law on January 30 with a four-week public consultation that produced more than 13,000 proposals and 98% support from citizens, according to the government.

Since the bill was introduced on March 8, the committee has held daily meetings following calls from Hong Kong’s leader for it to be passed “at full speed”.

At the territorial level, Article 23 was received with little opposition, although the pro-democracy organization “League of Social Democrats” expressed concern about the possible negative impact it could have on guarantees of freedom in the city.

The last time Article 23 was attempted in Hong Kong in 2003, around half a million people took to the streets to protest against this initiative and defend democratic values.