Скачать или смотреть Hong Kong restarts security law legislation

(30 Jan 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 30 January 2024
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Wober, Associated Press video journalist:
"Hong Kong authorities have come out, finally, with a new proposal for national security legislation. Last time they tried to do this was more than twenty years ago, back in 2003, it resulted in massive public protest, hundreds of thousands of people on the street, and the procedure, the legislation, was shelved. It didn't happen. The difference now is that, these documents, which outline what is called 'Article 23' legislation, are now in a different Hong Kong. Hong Kong already has a National Security Law imposed by Beijing in 2020. Civil society has changed a lot since then. We do not expect to see big protests on the streets of Hong Kong. The public has got until the 28th of February if they want to give any views on this new government proposal. But the reality is that after that, the Legislative Council will move quickly to put this law into practice. What the result will be for Hong Kongers, and for those from abroad, including foreign businesses, is not yet clear."
STORYLINE:
AP video journalist Rafael Wober explains the Hong Kong government's public consultation on a local National Security Law, which began on Tuesday, more than three years after Beijing imposed a similar law that has all but wiped out dissent in the semi-autonomous city.

The new law could expand the government’s ability to prosecute residents for offenses like collaborating with foreign forces to influence legislation or “publish misleading statements,” and to close down civil society organizations. Some of its provisions threaten criminal prosecutions for acts committed anywhere in the world.

Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, calls for the city to enact a national security law, but it’s been delayed for decades because of widespread public opposition based on fears it would erode civil liberties.

In 2003, an attempt to pass a version of the law sparked street protests that drew half a million people, and the legislation was shelved.

But the city’s crackdown on political opposition likely clears the way for the bill to pass easily.

Since 2020, many of the city’s leading pro-democracy activists have been arrested, silenced or forced into exile.

Dozens of civil society groups have been disbanded, and outspoken media outlets like Apple Daily and Stand News have been shut down.

The draft text will be written later based on input from public consultation, which will begin Tuesday and will end February 28.

But the city released a 110-page document Tuesday outlining its plans for the legislation.

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