Hong Kong has issued a security law that its lovers just need

How a symbol of firm Chinese control over Hong Kongthe national security law is known as that Article 23 It’s hard to beat. The measure, which applies to the most powerful authorities to suppress dissent, was unanimously approved by the legislative council of the city, or Legco, March 19. This is not surprising. From 2021, members of the organization want to pledge loyalty to the central regime in Beijing. Opposition politicians were decriminalized, imprisoned or forced to live in foreign countries. Moreover, the swift approval of a legal project that few Hong Kongers thought was necessary but that the central government had demanded, reversed the city’s loss of autonomy.

The ley cubre delitos como human trafficking, insurgency, sedition and espionage. If superimposed with the ley de seguridad impuesta a Hong Kong For the central government in 2020, a year after massive pro-democracy demonstrations protected the city. But the latest measure contains new elements that should worry liberals. Strengthen, increase the power of politics and government. Any person accused of violating the law may be denied access to a lawyer and be detained for up to 14 days (in addition to the 48 hours previously allowed) with court approval. The law also means that most cases can be investigated by national security authorities (elected by John Lee, Hong Kong’s chief executive) instead of a judge.

Equally troubling is the focus of the new “external interference” law on Hong Kong assumptions. Lee believes that dark foreign forces emerged after the 2019 demonstrations and are still causing trouble (a conspiratorial vision shared by the central government). He warned of “lobos” trying to get into China by canceling freedom and democracy in Hong Kong. Pro-government local media reported that Amnesty International, which fights for human rights, and Greenpeace, which focuses on the environment, could be among the international NGOs designated as national security advocates.

Your grip may also find that your work has become more difficult. The law protects news that is in the public interest, but the government will be the arbiter of it. A document signed by various foreign media (including The Economist) expressed concern that a normal, regular activity, such as investigating government misconduct, could be criminalized.

The preamble to the law is vague, probably on purpose. This gives the authorities a lot of room for manipulation. And the government certainly hopes that Hongkongers and foreigners who navigate the confusing red lines will stay away from them. But officials also tried to combat different sounds, such as those that may have been banned from Western social platforms. It is also rumored that people could be processed into the position of old periodicals that contain sixteen articles. This is “completely incorrect”, the government said; the offense would only apply if the owner could not find a “reasonable excuse”.

When the British handed over Hong Kong to China in 1997, they gave it a mini-constitution, the so-called Basic lawand a “high degree of autonomy” based on the “one country, two systems” model was promised. Liberties were granted to the inhabitants and civil liberties were denied to those on the continent. Without the embargo, Article 23 of the document hovers over the city. This required Hong Kong to pass national security legislation that many feared would change their character. When the government tried to push through a measure of this type in 2003, it sparked major protests and city leaders marched on.

The ease with which the drug was opened is a testament to how much has changed in Hong Kong. In recent years, controls over speech, media, books, and culture have become stifling in the face of central government. The old security law discouraged most people with political motives from trying to defeat the government. The news is the sum to this atmosphere of mine. Do not expect large protests in the coming days.

But the speed with which the government moved to pass Article 23 has drawn attention. It was introduced on January 30. An unusually short public consultation followed, which took place on February 28. In addition, the project moved quickly through Legco. Some believe the aim was to avoid criticism by returning it to foreign observers. Likewise, lawmakers who examined the bill at the committee stage are anticipating the fallout. As they braced themselves for sanctions imposed by Western governments, they apparently started calling themselves “martyrs.”

Hong Kong officials apparently believe any sacrifice is worth it. He credits the original security law for helping to bring peace and prosperity to the city, and believes the new law will have the same positive impact. He elaborated on the “historic” moment, adding that the government “remained atop the trust of the country and did not cheat the central government”. If people in Hong Kong are not aware of this, they will tend to say it in their own words.

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