Hong Kong: Life imprisonment for endangering national security

(Patria) - Authorities in Hong Kong yesterday published a draft law that provides for life imprisonment for those who "endanger national security", deepening concerns that civil liberties already imposed by Beijing are being further reduced.

The law is expected to be passed very quickly, as the Hong Kong Legislative Council is dominated by supporters of official Chinese policy.

The proposed law expands the powers of state authorities to prosecute their opponents, and also targets espionage, disclosure of state secrets and "collaboration with foreign forces", which will be punished even more severely than before.

For those who "damage public infrastructure with the intent to endanger national security", a sentence of 20 years up to life imprisonment has been announced - if it is proven that they did so "in collusion with a foreign power".

For "insurrection", the penalty would be seven years in prison, and if done "in collusion with a foreign power", the penalty would be 10 years.

The expanded definition of "foreign powers" includes foreign states and political parties, international organizations and "any other foreign organization pursuing political goals", and also includes companies influenced by such powers.

The future law would also allow criminal prosecution of actions illegal under this regulation, even if committed abroad, outside Hong Kong.

Authorities say it is necessary to prevent a repeat of the massive anti-government protests that took place in Hong Kong in 2019, and claim it will only affect an "extremely small minority" of disloyal residents.

During and after the violent pro-democracy protests in 2019, many leading pro-democracy activists were arrested, while others fled abroad. Dozens of civil society organizations have been banned, independent media shut down, and authorities are using regulations to suppress an increasing number of civil liberties.

Hong Kong was under British colonial administration until 1997, when it was handed over to China.