Hong Kong to introduce law on new “national security” offenses – franceinfo

The Hong Kong government will introduce a law that will include new violations of the “national security”, announced Wednesday January 12 the head of the executive during the first session of the Legislative Council reserved for “patriots”. Carrie Lam said her government intends to pass a local law including around 40 offenses, in addition to that imposed in 2020 by Beijing on secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers.

The chief executive did not specify these new offenses but added that they will comply with article 23 of the “Basic Law”, the mini-constitution of the theoretically semi-autonomous city. This article aims in particular to prohibit foreign political organizations from carrying out political activities in Hong Kong and local political organizations from maintaining links with foreign political bodies.

The drastic National Security Law was imposed in June 2020 by Beijing on Hong Kong in response to massive and often violent pro-democracy protests. Written in a very vague manner, it makes it illegal to express almost any form of dissent and has led to dozens of arrests, as well as the shutdown of several media outlets.