Hong Kong (TIP): Hong Kong began public consultation on a local National Security Law on January 30, more than three years after Beijing imposed a similar law that has all but wiped out dissent in the semi-autonomous city. The new law could expand the government’s ability to prosecute residents for offenses like collaborating with foreign forces to influence legislation or “publish misleading statements”, and to close down civil society organisations.
Some of its provisions threaten criminal prosecutions for acts committed anywhere in the world. Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, calls for the city to enact a national security law, but it’s been delayed for decades because of widespread public opposition based on fears it would erode civil liberties. In 2003, an attempt to pass a version of the law sparked street protests that drew half a million people, and the legislation was shelved. (PTI)