The European Union has expressed grave concern over Hong Kong’s newly passed national security bill, warning that it could significantly impede the operations of the EU’s office and jeopardize the territory’s status as a business hub.
This legislation, known as Article 23, covers offenses such as treason, sabotage, sedition, theft of state secrets, external interference, and espionage, with penalties ranging from several years to life imprisonment. Its swift passage by Hong Kong lawmakers, only two weeks after its introduction, has raised alarms among critics who argue that it further erodes the city’s freedoms. Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, has announced that the law will take effect this Saturday.
The EU, along with others, has voiced concerns about the potential impact on the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents. This bill follows a national security law imposed by China in 2020, which led to the imprisonment of numerous pro-democracy activists and triggered sanctions from the United States against Lee and other officials.
The US State Department has expressed alarm over the broad and vaguely defined provisions of the law. Amnesty International has labeled it as draconian. Beijing’s foreign affairs commissioner has criticized Britain for alleged hypocrisy and double standards, citing London’s own national security laws, including one enacted last year.
