Volker Türk expressed deep disappointment at the hasty passage of significant legislation through the legislative body, despite valid concerns regarding its adherence to global human rights standards. This occurred in the former British colony, now a Special Administrative Region of China since 1997.

More crimes added

The Safeguarding National Security Bill builds upon the legislation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security, which was approved by China in 2020.

International media reports state that it was discussed for only 11 days, commonly referred to as Article 23 in local context.

The legislation creates five new types of offenses, including treason, rebellion, involvement in classified information and spying, sabotage and threats to national safety, and interference from outside sources.

Potential for misuse

Mr. Türk emphasized that the Bill’s ambiguous and general terms could potentially result in the punishment of a diverse array of actions that are safeguarded by global human rights regulations, such as the rights to freely express oneself and peacefully gather, and the right to both receive and share information.

“The use of this uncertainty is concerning as it can be manipulated and applied selectively, leading to the targeting of opposing individuals such as journalists, researchers, civil society members, and defenders of human rights,” he expressed.

As we have previously observed, these rules often result in individuals limiting their own expression and actions, hindering discussions on matters of general importance where open discussions are crucial.

According to him, the Bill’s “external interference” measures may have a greater inhibiting impact on involvement with human rights organizations and UN human rights entities due to the expansive definition of “external force.”

He stated that passing this legislation without proper consideration and constructive discussions is a backward move in terms of safeguarding human rights in Hong Kong.

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