Beijing Trying To Rule HK Through Fear: Amnesty

The human rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday that Beijing passing the national security law before the people of Hong Kong people have even read it shows the central government is now trying to rule the city through fear.

In a statement, Amnesty said the passing of the law is "a painful moment" for the Hong Kong people and "represents the greatest threat to human rights in the city’s recent history".

It said the central authorities will now have the power to impose their own laws on anyone they choose, including those merely expressing views or protesting peacefully.

The group said the criminal acts covered by the law – secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign or overseas powers to endanger national security – will be vaguely defined and similar to those used on the mainland to crack down on dissent.

"At this pivotal moment for Hong Kong, it is imperative that the national security law is not used to trample human rights and undermine the freedoms that distinguish the city from mainland China," said the head of Amnesty International’s China Team, Joshua Rosenzweig.

"China’s eagerness to pass this law quickly is also an ominous signal for the legislative elections coming up in Hong Kong in September, with a threat that the security law could be used against pro-democracy candidates", he added.