Hong Kong security law: Life sentences for breaking China-imposed law
People in Hong Kong could face life in jail for breaking a controversial and sweeping new security law imposed by China.It was brought in by Beijing following increasing unrest and a widening pro-democracy movement.The territory was handed back to China from British control in 1997, but under a unique agreement supposed to protect certain freedoms that people in mainland China do not enjoy - including freedom of speech.
The UK, EU and Nato have all expressed concern and anger, while pro-democracy groups have started to disband amid fears of immediate reprisals. Damaging public transport facilities can be considered terrorism - protesters often targeted city infrastructure during the long-running demonstrationsBeijing will establish a new security office in Hong Kong, with its own law enforcement personnel - neither of which would come under the local authority's jurisdiction
China also says it will take over prosecution in cases which are considered"very serious", while some trials will be heard behind closed doors.The law can also apparently be broken from abroad by non-residents, under Article 38Under the national security law, many of the acts of protest that have rocked Hong Kong over the past year could now be classed as subversion or secession… and punished with up to life in prison.
Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong began to quit immediately, fearful of the new law, and the punishment it allows.Media playback is unsupported on your deviceMany Hong Kong residents are worried the new security law means the 'one country, two systems' principal no longer exists But despite the risks, some remained determined to go ahead with the banned traditional 1 July rally planned for Wednesday, amid reports of large numbers of police descending onto Hong Kong's financial district.The move also provoked international reaction, with the UK's Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, saying China had broken the promises it had made to the people of Hong Kong under the terms of the 1997 handover.
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