Reuters,
July 1, 2020 reports in part https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-hongkong-security/china-passes-sweeping-hong-kong-security-law-heralding-new-authoritarian-era-idUSKBN2412UD with Pete's comments added in [...] brackets.
"HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing on
Tuesday unveiled new national security laws for Hong Kong that will punish
crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces [as predicted by SubMatts on June 5, 2020] with up to life in prison, heralding a more authoritarian era for China’s
freest city.
... [the new laws] entered into force at 11 p.m. (1500 GMT)
on June 30.
... In their most severe form, crimes will be
punishable with life in prison. Punishments otherwise largely go up to 10
years.
... According to the law,
a new national security agency [no doubt mainly staffed by China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) already present covertly in HK] will be set up for the first time in Hong Kong
and will not be under the jurisdiction of the local government. Authorities can
carry out surveillance and wire-tap people suspected of endangering national
security, it said.
Those
asking foreign countries to sanction, blockade or take other hostile action
against Hong Kong or China could be guilty of colluding with foreign forces.
... Authorities shall take necessary measures to strengthen the management and servicing of foreign countries’ and international organisations’ branches in Hong Kong, as well as foreign media and NGOs in the city, the law says." [SubMatts pointed to the US Consulate General in Hong Kong on June 8, 2020].
... Authorities shall take necessary measures to strengthen the management and servicing of foreign countries’ and international organisations’ branches in Hong Kong, as well as foreign media and NGOs in the city, the law says." [SubMatts pointed to the US Consulate General in Hong Kong on June 8, 2020].
SEE WHOLE REUTERS ARTICLE
1 comment:
An excellent article from The Diplomat paysite dated July 3, 2020:
"Beijing’s National Security Law Brings Mainland Repression to Hong Kong:
The implications of the new law for Hong Kongers and the world."
at https://thediplomat.com/2020/07/beijings-national-security-law-brings-mainland-repression-to-hong-kong/
eg. "Where cases are handled locally [in HK], the [new] law limits local judges’ independence. The chief executive is empowered to select a limited panel of judges from among current and retired judges to try national security cases. Selected judges are removed if they “make any statement or behave in any manner endangering national security.” Judges cannot exercise judicial review as the power of interpretation is vested solely with the NPCSC. The accused are denied bail by default “unless the judge has sufficient grounds for believing that the criminal suspect or defendant will not continue to commit acts endangering national security.” They may also be denied a jury by the prosecution. They are subject to sentences from three years to life imprisonment."
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