Hong Kong has enacted a new security law addressing the crimes of treason and sedition. For treason, the maximum sentence has been set at life imprisonment, and the current punishment for sedition has significantly increased under this new legislation.
The law was rapidly passed by the government with a unanimous vote, building on the national security framework that China imposed on the island in 2020. According to the document, nearly 40 new crimes related to national security and power politics will now be recognized.
Furthermore, this development follows the increased rate of arrests for similar crimes after the implementation of the 2020 Beijing security bill. Overall, Article 23 will make it more challenging for media outlets and civil groups to operate effectively.
