Hong Kong’s head of government announced this Wednesday that the territory will draft its own national security law in 2024, four years after Beijing imposed legislation to repress dissent.
“Some countries are undermining China and the implementation of [princípio] ‘One country, two systems’ in Hong Kong for their own benefit. “External forces continue to meddle in Hong Kong affairs,” John Lee charged in his annual policy speech.
“We must remain vigilant against the possible resurgence of street violence, be aware of rebellions disguised by ‘soft resistance’ and be alert to foreign anti-government movements returning to Hong Kong. We must pay particular attention to anti-China activities now destabilizing activities, camouflaged in the name of human rights, freedom, democracy and livelihoods,” the head of the Executive contextualized.
Therefore, “the government is advancing in the development of effective legislative options and will conclude the legislative year in 2024” to fulfill its “constitutional duty”, as stipulated in the territory’s mini-constitution, provided that the Government of the Chinese Special Administrative Region “should complete, as quickly as possible, legislation relating to the protection of national security, as provided for in the basic law, and improve relevant legislation.”
In 2019, Hong Kong was the scene of large pro-democracy protests, sparked by a law that provided for the extradition of suspected criminals to mainland China, but the demands evolved into demands for more freedoms and autonomy from Beijing.
In response, Beijing imposed a National Security Law that punishes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with penalties of up to life in prison.
Under the Basic Law, which constitutes the Constitution of the Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong must draft its own legislation on seven security crimes, including treason and espionage.
This task, also designated by the territory’s government as a “constitutional responsibility”, has yet to be fulfilled, more than 25 years after the former British colony was returned to China.
In 2003, the last initiative was abandoned after half a million Hong Kong residents took to the streets in protest.
According to the Hong Kong Security Bureau, a total of 280 people were detained at the end of September and 30 were sentenced under the National Security Law, in force since Beijing enacted it in 2020.
The law effectively silenced dissent, and activists were arrested and jailed, and some fled abroad.
Source: TSF
