Article 23: How Hong Kong's new security law further stifles its autonomy

Hong Kong has passed a new draconian legislation that strengthens the government’s hold on dissent and gives powers to take action against pro-democracy supporters.

This has been Hong Kong’s second such security law since 2020 when it clamped down on massive protests that erupted in the city leading to the arrests of independent journalists and the exile of several activists.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the law would come into effect on March 23 and called it a “historic moment for Hong Kong”. Lee along with 11 other officials was sanctioned by the United States in 2020 for his suppression of the city’s civil liberties.

The Chinese financial capital is seeking to update its security laws which have been in place since the British handed over the colony to the Republic of China in 1997, promising sovereignty and autonomy for at least  50 years.

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China, however, says that the new security law, passed on Tuesday, promises “peace and stability” in the special administrative region, but critics call it a “final nail in Hong Kong’s coffin”.  

Here are five points that describe the new law best:

1- The new law, named Article 23 of Hong Kong’s constitution, was unanimously passed in the Hong Kong Parliament, giving pro-china authorities to take action on grounds of alleged espionage, treason, and sedition charges and also act upon new offences such as insurrection and external interference in internal matters.

2- The new law also concerns cases related to the theft of state secrets. It will prohibit government workers from revealing any information that China sees as confidential and threatens national security.

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3- Those found guilty under the new offences will serve prolonged prison sentences ranging from several years to life imprisonment.

4- Beijing says the new security law was necessary to prevent 2020-like protests and safeguard the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers. It says the new law will affect only a “small minority” of disloyal residents.

5- The United States criticised Hong Kong’s new bill saying that new bill can narrow freedom and accelerate the closing of a once-open society, Washington’s deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said, adding that a lot of phrases in the new bill have been “incredibly vague.”