ON Tuesday, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region made it official: they passed the ‘Safeguarding National Security Bill’, also known as Article 23.
The second reading of the bill was approved on Tuesday afternoon. Following the law-making process in Hong Kong, a bill needs to pass a third reading in the Legislative Council before becoming law.
It will be enforced once the chief executive signs and publishes the bill.
Article 23 aims to prohibit five acts endangering national security, including espionage, external interference, treason and sabotage.
Legislative Council or LegCo Chief Executive John Lee hailed the package as a ‘historic moment’ and congratulated lawmakers for passing the bill, which had been delayed for two decades due to public backlash.
“It is a proud moment when the Hong Kong SAR have written a glorious history together. We no longer need to worry about acts of ‘mutual destruction’ being carried out by the destructive fractions: destroying public facilities, throwing Molotov cocktails, arson, and beating citizens with different opinions,” John Lee, LegCo Chief Executive stated.
The new regulations follow China’s implementation of a national security law in 2020, which came after violent protests erupted in 2019 over the proposed Hong Kong extradition bill.
The bill aimed to transfer ‘fugitives’ from Hong Kong.
However, the passage of Article 23 has drawn criticism from the United Nations, United States, and United Kingdom.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller warned that it could stifle dissent by instilling fear of arrest and detention.
Meanwhile, LegCO lawmaker Regina Ip has advocated for promoting Article 23 to the international community. She asserts that the law aligns completely with human rights responsibilities and laws.
“We must try to promote to the international community that this law is completely in line with the responsibility of human rights, human rights law,” Regina IP, LegCo Lawmaker Regina IP stressed.
LegCo President Andrew Leung said the key point is that the draft legislation is based on the basic human rights and freedom that Hong Kong residents have under the Basic Law and related international conventions.
“The key point is that the draft legislation is based on the basic human rights and freedom that Hong Kong residents have under the Basic Law and related international conventions,” Andrew Leung, LegCo President said.
Article 23 was passed by all 89 members in the chamber and will take effect from March 23, the Hong Kong government carried out a public consultation on the legislation of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law from January 30 to February 28 of this year.
An overwhelming majority, 98.6 percent of the received views, expressed support and provided positive feedback on the said legislation.
