Critics say national security law cracking down on offences such as insurrection will further erode civil liberties
Hong Kong’s parliament has passed a controversial national security law granting the government more power to quash dissent, widely seen as the latest step in a sweeping political crackdown triggered by pro-democracy protests in 2019.Under the law, treason, insurrection and sabotage can be punished with life sentences, while jail terms for sedition are increased from two years to seven, or 10 if alleged perpetrators are found to have colluded with a foreign force.
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, said the law would have far-reaching implications and further damage the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong. Britain, the former colonial power in Hong Kong, has been increasingly critical of moves by China to suppress dissent. Hong Kong’s article 23: what is the new national security law and what will it mean for human rights?Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, heralded the passage of the law, which he said was it was “needed to guard against people who invade our home”. Because of its passing, he claimed, Hong Kong “no longer need to worry about people destroying public infrastructure”.
Amnesty International’s China director, Sarah Brooks, described the law as “killing off any remaining shred of hope that public outcry could counter its most destructive elements”.
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