'New Law Could Be Used Against Protest Bystanders'

Bar Association vice chairwoman Anita Yip warned on Wednesday that the national security law Beijing is planning for Hong Kong could be used to prosecute not only people taking part in protests, but others who are simply observing ongoing demonstrations.

This comes after RTHK learnt that the new law will cover "activities" that endanger national security, and not just "acts" that threaten the state, as previously believed.

Mainland lawyers also said that as well as individuals, organisations could also be charged under the upcoming law.

Yip told RTHK on Wednesday that the term "activities" suggests that even bystanders at protests could be charged under the new legislation.

"Observing an activity is also an activity itself. So would that be caught by the national security law? I'm just raising the concern, we still look forward to understanding the entire contents of the national security law," she said.

"But I think these are very valid concerns which I believe ought to be addressed. If it is legislated in that way, it definitely covers those protesting activities."

On Monday, the Bar Association issued a statement saying it had found several "worrying problems" with the expected new law and the way it is being imposed on the city.

These include concerns that the judiciary will be instructed how to act on national security cases, how mainland agents might enforce the law in Hong Kong, and that the legislation may not comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.