'Self-censorship Not Security Law Brought Stability'

A constitutional law expert said while some stability has returned to Hong Kong after the controversial national security law took effect, many fundamental issues remain unresolved and the government must do more to heal society's rift.

Hong Kong University professor Simon Young told RTHK's Mike Weeks that while there have been fewer protests in recent months, that's not really due directly to the security law that came into force in July. Rather, it was due to a combination of factors, such as the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak and what he described as people's "self-censorship".

"I also think there's a lot of ignorance about the law and so, many people are self-censoring themselves and trying to not get caught in the net of the law. The police have obviously been emboldened by this new law, and we see them exhibiting a rather aggressive posture more often these days," he said.

The government has justified the new law by insisting it has brought stability back to the city rocked by protests in the past year. Critics, however, said that came at the expense of people's basic rights and freedoms, and that authorities are using the law to crush dissent.

Young pointed out that the new security law has had a chilling effect on, for example, schools, the media and activities of foreign diplomats in Hong Kong.

"I think some of that is intended," he said.

"There are a couple of provisions in the new law that go beyond the criminal offences. They talk about strengthening measures to certain groups in society, schools included, universities, foreign media, foreign government.

"That may not give rise to criminal liability immediately, but of course it touches, I think, a lot more than that small group that the government has reassured us. And of course it touches society as a whole."

The academic made it clear that despite the return of some normalcy, Hong Kong remains as divided as ever.

"What we haven't addressed is really, I think, the underlying division in society. I don't think it's brought about any greater unity. I also think trust in institutions hasn't been improved. There's still a lot of distrust in whether it's the police or Legco or the executive branch.

"So, I think the government still has a long ways to go. It may well be that at least it has brought about some stability, which we can focus our attention on other things that are important."

But the expert also brushed aside fears that the rights of Hong Kong people are being undermined under the new security law, saying the common law system here is still giving people sufficient protection.

"I think for the most part criminal justice in the courts under this new law will be more or less the same," he said.