Numerous prominent global figures have criticized Hong Kong’s hard fresh security law, calling it yet another “devastating blast” for freedom.
After a workout session on Tuesday, Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing parliament overwhelmingly passed Article 23.
Authorities claim that the rules is necessary for stability because it targets a range of crimes that are viewed as disloyal.
However, pro-democracy protesters in captivity told the BBC it’s the “final nails in a sealed coffin.”
” The new national security policy is going to double down the repression on rights in Hong Kong with longer, hateful words and a broadened concept of national protection,” said Frances Hui, an activist with roots in the US.
According to the speech,” The policy undermines due process and good trial right and violates Hong Kong’s responsibility under international human rights law, jeopardizing Hong Kong’s position as an available international city.”
The Chinese Embassy in the UK responded strongly to his criticism as” a significant distortion of the facts,” which was sparked by his comment.
” Hong Kong- related matters are China’s international matters, on which the UK area is in no position to make unnecessary remarks. We ask the UK to stop making false accusations about Article 23’s laws, the ambassador said.
In 2020, Ms. Hui abandoned Hong Kong in response to Beijing’s implementation of a national security law ( NSL), which has since resulted in the arrest of more than 260 people. It was introduced in response to the city’s extensive pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.
Four decades after the NSL came into effect, Ms. Hui claimed civil rights in Hong Kong are “long gone.” Article 23 develops on the controversial policy, while targeting new infractions like external interference and rebellion. Sanctions include living words.
Chris Patten, the last of Hong Kong’s previous government in the world, signed the cooperative international speech, citing it as” an additional big nail in the coffin of human right and the rule of law in Hong Kong and a more terrible violation of the Joint Declaration.”
Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997 under the rule of “one country, two methods”, which guaranteed the town a particular degree of autonomy. Beijing and Hong Kong both assert that this is still the circumstance, but international human rights organizations claim that China’s hold on the area has only grown stronger over time.
On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s head John Lee defended the legislation, saying it would “effectively protect the city from color revolution and those who support Hong Kong self-reliance.”
” From now on, Hong Kong folks will never have to experience the pain we’ve experienced before”, he added.
The new law is yet another missing war, according to those who organized the pro-democracy demonstrations against China’s growing influence in the area.
Former Hong Kong senator Nathan Law, who is currently imprisoned in the UK, told the BBC’s Newsday program that it “one move closer to the structure of island China.”
” The cold impact… and the result of a decline of civil society is impacting most Hong Kong people”, he said.
Beijing has not commented on Article 23, but the state media in China welcomed it as additional legislation that do” crystallize the secure foundation for the state’s development.” Another outlet claimed that “one country, two systems” would make it possible for Hong Kong to become “more productive and secure with the economy flourishing and people living happy lives there.”
