#Proposal #life #imprisonment #sedition
A footbridge decorated for last year’s 26th anniversary of the transfer of Hong Kong from Great Britain to China. Photo: Louise Delmotte / AP / NTB
On Friday, the proposal for a new security law in Hong Kong was made known. Among other things, life imprisonment is proposed for treason and rebellion.
Friday 8 March at 02:41
The legislative assembly in the city will debate the proposal on Friday morning, according to a statement from the government.
The bill would expand the government’s ability to crack down on those who challenge its rule – and include sedition, outside interference and the protection of state secrets.
The proposal also states that the police will be able to detain people for up to 14 days without charge, compared to 48 hours today.
The law is expected to be adopted quickly, possibly within a couple of weeks. Critics have warned that the legislation will make Hong Kong even more like that of mainland China. However, the authorities point to the extensive demonstrations in 2019 as an argument that this is necessary – and that the law will only affect an “extremely small minority” of disloyal residents.
