Is Hong Kong's bid to tighten prison rules a way to further muzzle civil society groups?

Hong Kong authorities proposed sweeping new prison rules Thursday (July 3) that would tighten restrictions on inmate visits, including from lawyers, in a move that appears to further muzzle civil society groups offering support to jailed pro-democracy activists.

Officials cited national security risks as the rationale for the changes, which would allow prison authorities to bar specific lawyers from visiting inmates by obtaining a magistrate’s warrant. The government says such measures are aimed at preventing “abuse of the legal visit system” and are consistent with practices in countries such as the United States, Britain and Australia.

The proposals seem to mark another escalation in the government’s ongoing campaign to dismantle civil society networks that emerged during and after the city’s 2019 pro-democracy protests. More than 10,200 people have been arrested in connection with the protests, and nearly 4,000 are currently behind bars awaiting trial– the highest on record, according to official data.

More from World

’Revenge on Gold Diggers’: How a new video game is sparking a debate on sexism in China Are Pak military leaders' visits to US signs of resetting ties? Should India be bothered?

The Security Bureau argued in a legislative submission that the visiting system had been exploited “by some people using ‘humanitarian relief’ as a pretext to visit for influencing” prisoners to resist prison authorities.

The proposals would also scrap existing policies allowing inmates to wear private clothing and receive custom meals, and impose tighter control over mail. Officials say the changes are urgent and will soon be submitted to the legislature for vetting.

Observers say the crackdown appears aimed at the remaining pockets of support for jailed activists– many of them young protesters– who have relied on small grassroots groups for material and emotional aid. Those groups have faced increasing pressure under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, and a local security law passed last year.

Quick Reads

View All

Successful India makes world ‘more stable and secure’: EU chief Ursula ahead of trade deal

Israel says it has recovered remains of last Gaza hostage, paving way for next ceasefire phase

One such group, Wall-fare, disbanded in 2021 after authorities accused it of jeopardising national security within prisons.

The legal system has also been drawn into the widening net. Last year, activist Owen Chow and his lawyer were convicted of breaching prison rules after delivering a complaint letter without using authorized channels.

Human rights groups have already warned that Hong Kong’s justice system is being increasingly weaponised against dissent, as the space for civil society continues to shrink.

With inputs from agencies