Life imprisonment for 'treason' and 'foreign interference': Hong Kong proposes new security law | outside

The new law lists five categories of crimes: treason, sedition, espionage, sabotage and foreign interference. The proposal stipulates the imposition of life imprisonment for crimes of treason, riot, and sabotage that endanger national security. This should also be possible when Chinese military personnel are incited to rebel.

The text expands the concept of “sedition,” which dates back to the British colonial era, to include dissatisfaction with the communist leadership and the Chinese socialist system. In addition, harsher penalties are imposed for incitement: the maximum penalty is now seven years' imprisonment instead of two years.

This sensitive law has been on the table since 2003, but it has been postponed for years. The situation changed in 2020, when the central government in Beijing itself imposed a national security law on its “special autonomous region” after months of protests in Hong Kong. The National Security Law eliminated dissent and put an end to political activity. The Hong Kong government can now pass its own security law without any opposition.

According to John Lee, who heads Hong Kong's executive, there is a “general consensus” among residents that this law will be passed “as soon as possible.” During the public consultations, 13,000 Hong Kong residents were asked about tightening the security law, and nearly 99% of them were in favor.

Journalists' associations, human rights organizations, foreign companies and diplomats have expressed concerns about the text. They fear this will further restrict freedom of expression.