New offences such as external interference and insurrection have been incorporated into a new, tough security law in Hong Kong, with penalties that include life sentences.
The legislation, Article 23, which authorities claim is necessary for stability, was fast-tracked through its final stage by the city’s pro-Beijing parliament in less than two weeks, according to the BBC.
Critics fear the new law will further erode civil liberties.
The BBC reports that Article 23 expands on a controversial national security law (NSL) earlier imposed by China.
That law already criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, is quoted as saying that Article 23 is necessary to guard against ‘potential sabotage and undercurrents that try to create troubles’, particularly ‘ideas of an independent Hong Kong’. Lee reportedly hailed the passing of Article 23 as ‘a historic moment Hong Kong people have been waiting for over 26 years’.
The BBC reports that China’s Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang earlier said that swift enactment of the new legislation would protect ‘core national interests’ and allow Hong Kong to focus on economic development.
Scores of people have been arrested under the NSL since it was passed in 2020, which critics say has created a climate of fear.
Amnesty International’s China director Sarah Brooks said the new law ‘delivered another crushing blow to human rights in the city’.
Maya Wang, acting China director at Human Rights Watch, said Article 23 would ‘usher Hong Kong into a new era of authoritarianism’.