Hong Kong passes second national security law, widening crackdown powers and aligning city more closely with mainland China | CNN
Hong Kong's new national security law raises concerns over impact on rights and freedoms.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
Hong Kong’s new national security law, inciting concerns from critics, was swiftly passed by the unanimous decision of the legislature. The law, comprising 39 new national security crimes, is seen as aligning Hong Kong more closely with China’s security laws and intensifying the crackdown on dissent that began after massive protests in 2019. The legislation, starting on Saturday, covers various offenses like treason and espionage, with severe penalties including life imprisonment. While authorities argue it aims to restore stability post-protests, critics fear it will broaden restrictions, affecting civil society and business. Observers worry about the vague language around offenses and the potential chilling effect across society. The US and EU have expressed concerns about the law’s impact on rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. The swift enactment of the law without public input has raised alarms globally over the diminishing autonomy and uniqueness of Hong Kong compared to mainland China.