Hong Kong passes law intended to curb dissent

Lawmakers on Tuesday approved the Safeguarding National Security Bill that gives the government more power to crack down on political offenses and prosecute citizens with charges including treason and insurrection. Known locally as Article 23, the legislation identifies more than three dozen national security crimes and introduces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The measure also targets “external interference” and can apply to offenders based outside Hong Kong.

The pro-Beijing Hong Kong Legislative Council passed the measure less than two weeks after it was introduced on March 8. The legislation is set to take effect on March 23.

What led to the measure being passed? Article 23 follows the first national security law imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 by Beijing. Hundreds of thousands in Hong Kong protested in 2019 as China increased its influence in the semi-autonomous city. The first attempts to pass security legislation in 2003 also led to mass protests, and lawmakers tabled the issue.

What has the international community said? The U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China on Thursday sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to oppose the new laws. “The State Department should thoroughly re-evaluate business and travel advisories to inform the American public of the risks presented by the PRC and Hong Kong governments,” the letter said.

Amnesty International, a non-governmental human rights organization, on March 8 released a statement from the group’s China Director Sarah Brooks. She said the legislation could be used to erode free speech and political opposition.

Will the law affect faith communities? The Catholic Church in Hong Kong on Friday said confessions made to priests would remain confidential despite the new legislation. The law includes penalties for individuals who fail to tell police if they know that someone will commit treason.

Dig deeper: Read Erica Kwong’s report in WORLD Tour on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy advocates.