OK Here It Is .. The Draft For The HK Security Law & As You Can Imagine It Is As Cheery As You’d Expect It To Be

Hong Kong has revealed the draft text of its new, homegrown security law – known locally as Article 23 – as it arrived at the legislature on Friday. The bill includes major offences such as treason and insurrection, which could be punished with life imprisonment.

The Legislative Council convened a special, off-schedule meeting on Friday morning for the first and second reading of the bill. Authorities hope to have the controversial bill passed by National Security Education Day on April 15, according to local media.

Key offences in proposed Article 23 national security law.

| Article 23

Hong Kong proposes life sentences for treason, insurrection, sabotage under new security law

Article 23

Hong Kong proposes life sentences for treason, insurrection, sabotage under new security law

Hong Kong. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

By Hans Tse. Those found guilty of certain offences under Hong Kong’s proposed new security legislation, including treason and sabotage, may face life in prison, a draft bill unveiled on Friday revealed.

Hongkongers may face 7 years jail for ‘inciting disaffection’ of public officers, draft security law bill says

Secretary for Security Chris Tang leaves the Legislative Council chamber after a special, off-schedule meeting for the first and second reading of the Article 23 of the Basic Law on March 8, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

By Tom Grundy. If the bill passes, a person would be held liable if they invite a public officer to “abandon upholding the Basic Law and abandon the allegiance to the HKSAR.” If collusion with an external party is involved, they could face 10 years in prison.

Courts could extend detention without charge for 2 weeks for nat. security suspects, draft bill suggests

Legislative Council President Andrew Leung (centre) and lawmakers meet the press on March 8, 2024, after a special, off-schedule meeting for the first and second reading of the Article 23 of the Basic Law. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

By Tom Grundy. A person “reasonably suspected of having committed an offence endangering national security” may be detained without charge for up to two weeks, after the initial 48-hours detention period expires, according to the draft homegrown security law bill.

Hong Kong proposes raising maximum penalty for sedition to 10 years under new security law

A Chinese flag in Hong Kong on October 1, 2023. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

By Hans Tse. Under current law, sedition carries a maximum jail term of two years in prison for a first offence. A draft of the new security law proposed raising that to seven years, with 10 years suggested for offenders found to have colluded with an “external force” in committing sedition.

Public interest defence proposed for some ‘state secrets’ offences in draft of new security law

A draft of Hong Kong’s homegrown national security law. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.

By Hillary Leung. Hong Kong’s homegrown security law would include a public interest defence for certain offences related to the theft of state secrets, a draft of the proposed legislation revealed.

New powers proposed for police, courts to limit national security detainees’ access to lawyers

File photo: Jimmy Lam/USP & HKFP.

By Irene Chan. Hong Kong’s homegrown security law may give authorities new powers to restrict those arrested under the legislation from consulting specific lawyers or barring them from accessing lawyers within their initial 48-hour detention period.

Hong Kong proposes cancelling ‘absconders’ passports under new security law

Hong Kong passports. File photo: GovHK.

By Kelly Ho. The Hong Kong government may cancel the Hong Kong passports of security law “absconders” and ban providing them with financial support, a newly unveiled draft bill under Article 23 of the city’s mini-constitution said.

Threshold for early release may be raised for national security prisoners, draft bill says

Lo Wu Correctional Institution. File photo: Lea Mok/HKFP.

By Kelly Ho. People imprisoned under national security offences may only be liable for early release if the corrections officer is convinced it is not “contrary to the interest of national security,” the draft of a new bill presented to the city’s legislature revealed.

Hong Kong proposes dissolving organisations accused of ‘external interference’

A draft of Hong Kong’s homegrown national security law. Photo: Hillary Leung/HKFP.

By James Lee. A new law under the city’s proposed homegrown national security legislation may see organisations accused of “external interference” dissolved if they are ordered to cease operations.

In full: Draft text of Hong Kong’s new, homegrown security law revealed, arrives at legislature Friday

Hong Kong Legislative Council. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

By Tom Grundy. Hong Kong revealed the draft text of its new, homegrown security law on Friday. It came just nine days after the end of a public consultation which prompted more than 13,000 submissions. HKFP shared the full text.