Hong Kong security law ‘safeguards rights and freedoms’
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On June 30, one day before the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, the standing committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) adopted the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (KHSAR). This law is now added to the list of laws in annex III of the basic law. It will be applied by promulgation in HKSAR.
This law is an important milestone and a powerful support for the steady and sustained implementation of “one country, two systems”, which safeguards the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.
After the law was adopted, Western media carried numerous reports and comments full of misinterpretation, misunderstanding and even distortion. Even a small discrepancy will lead to a great error. Malicious lies will, still worse, result in huge misconception and misunderstanding.
Below are the four things you need to know about the HKSAR:
1. Will the legislation undermine the human rights and basic freedoms of Hong Kong residents, and does it violate the [UN] International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?
The HKSAR clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. Rights and freedoms, including freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, which the residents of the region enjoy under the basic law of the HKSAR, and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the [UN] International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law.
The legislation only targets four types of offences, namely secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. It is designed to deter and sanction a small minority in Hong Kong that are involved in offences seriously jeopardising national security. It aims to protect the great majority of law-abiding Hong Kong residents, and safeguard their safety and lawful rights and freedoms.
It is spelled out in the constitutions of more than 100 countries that the exercise of basic rights and freedoms shall not endanger national security. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights makes it clear that freedoms of religious belief, expression and peaceful assembly, the right to public trial and other rights may be subject to restrictions that are necessary to protect ...
This law is an important milestone and a powerful support for the steady and sustained implementation of “one country, two systems”, which safeguards the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.
After the law was adopted, Western media carried numerous reports and comments full of misinterpretation, misunderstanding and even distortion. Even a small discrepancy will lead to a great error. Malicious lies will, still worse, result in huge misconception and misunderstanding.
Below are the four things you need to know about the HKSAR:
1. Will the legislation undermine the human rights and basic freedoms of Hong Kong residents, and does it violate the [UN] International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?
The HKSAR clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. Rights and freedoms, including freedoms of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, which the residents of the region enjoy under the basic law of the HKSAR, and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the [UN] International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law.
The legislation only targets four types of offences, namely secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. It is designed to deter and sanction a small minority in Hong Kong that are involved in offences seriously jeopardising national security. It aims to protect the great majority of law-abiding Hong Kong residents, and safeguard their safety and lawful rights and freedoms.
It is spelled out in the constitutions of more than 100 countries that the exercise of basic rights and freedoms shall not endanger national security. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights makes it clear that freedoms of religious belief, expression and peaceful assembly, the right to public trial and other rights may be subject to restrictions that are necessary to protect ...
