Consultation for a new Hong Kong national security law closed today amid concerns that the legislation, which authorities want to put in place soon, will further erode freedoms in the financial hub.
The law, known as Article 23, is aimed at addressing deficiencies in the national security regime, and it targets crimes including treason, theft of state secrets, espionage, sabotage, sedition and external interference including from foreign governments.
Hong Kong authorities, said the new law is necessary as threats posed by external forces and local terrorism have remained, adding that national security is the fundamental prerequisite for the survival and development of a state.
However, a group of 80 civil society groups have criticized the law stating it criminalizes basic human rights such as freedom of expression, and peaceful exercises of human rights,
