Chief Executive John Lee declared today as a significant milestone for Hong Kong, announcing that legislation targeting five major crimes would take effect on March 23. This law, widely perceived as an extension of a broader political crackdown instigated by the 2019 pro-democracy protests, grants the government enhanced authority to suppress dissent.
This measure complements the National Security Law imposed by China in 2020, which has substantially muted opposition voices in the city’s financial hub. While both the Chinese and Hong Kong administrations argue that the Beijing-imposed law restored stability following the 2019 unrest, critics contend that the newly enacted Article 23 poses a severe threat to the city’s freedoms.
Notable changes include heightened penalties for sedition, extending imprisonment terms from two years to between seven and ten years, without necessarily requiring a violent intent component—a departure from the internationally accepted standard for sedition. Other provisions authorize police to detain suspects for up to two weeks before formal charges, a significant increase from the current 48-hour limit.
Additionally, police gain the authority to seek permission to deprive a defendant of legal representation during pre-charge detention. The legislation also empowers authorities to invalidate passports of individuals deemed as “absconders.”
