Pro-Beijing lawmakers fast-tracked the legislation, with tough punishment for acts considered „external interference,“ insurrection and other offenses.
Hong Kong lawmakers have passed new national security legislation that carries severe punishment for a broad range of offenses, including life imprisonment for acts deemed to be insurrection.
The legislation called the Safeguarding National Security Bill will toughen up the already stringent national security law Beijing implemented in 2020 following major pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong the prior year.
Hong Kong’s lawmakers first tried to pass security legislation in 2003 but shelved it after mass protests against what residents feared was overreach from Beijing.
This time around, Hong Kong lawmakers fast-tracked it for approval within two weeks of reading a full draft.
The bill is linked to Article 23 of the Basic Law, which is considered Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
Pro-Beijing lawmakers have argued the legislation is needed to fill loopholes left by the sweeping 2020 national security law.
