India News

Hong Kong’s Controversial National Security Law: What Is It, Why Does China Want It?

Published

4 years ago

May 22, 2020

Editorial Team

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests paralysed the city last year (File)

Hong Kong:

China’s parliament has proposed introducing a new security law in Hong Kong, a move expected to fan fresh protests in the semi-autonomous financial hub.

The proposal, which has been condemned by the United States and Hong Kong pro-democracy figures as an assault on the city’s freedoms, was submitted for deliberation on Friday.

“Why has China moved to impose the law?”

Article 23 of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, says the city must enact national security legislation to prohibit “treason, secession, sedition (and) subversion” against the Chinese government.

Hong Kong has been trying to introduce a law for years but pro-democracy demonstrations that paralysed the city last year have pushed the issue up the agenda and galvanised Beijing.

Last month, Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong, Liaison Office director Luo Huining, said the city urgently needed a new national security law to combat violent protesters and independence advocates.

On Friday Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People’s Congress’s (NPC) Standing Committee, its actual law-making organ, warned “powerful measures” were needed to curb the city’s pro-democracy movement.

“How do people in Hong Kong feel about it?”

Article 23 has never been implemented due to public fears it would curtail Hong Kong’s cherished rights, such as freedom of expression and the press.

Those liberties are unseen on the mainland and are protected by an agreement made before Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997.

An attempt to enact the clause in 2003 was shelved after half a million people took to the streets in protest against it. Then security chief Regina Ip had to resign following the failure.

China’s move would authorise its lawmakers to circumvent Hong Kong’s legislature and directly enact the legislation at a future date.

“What will happen next?”

China’s legislature is expected to rubber-stamp the draft resolution on Thursday, the last day of the annual parliamentary gathering, before the details are fleshed out next month at another meeting of the NPC’s Standing Committee.

Wang said the law would then be implemented locally, an unprecedented move that could spark a further wave of protests.

In a statement Friday, Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam vowed to “fully cooperate” with Beijing over the law.

The Hong Kong government will “complete the legislation as soon as possible to discharge its responsibility of safeguarding national security,” said Lam, who is attending the NPC.

Jimmy Sham, leader of the Civil Human Rights Front, which organised the million-person rally that kicked off last year’s unrest, appealed Friday for millions to come out on the streets once again.

“What does this mean for ‘One country, Two systems’?”

Pro-democracy lawmakers have said the legislation marks the end of ‘One country, Two systems’ – a reference to the handover agreement that has given Hong Kong a limited form of autonomy since returning from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Even before the proposed security law, there were fears that Beijing was steadily eroding those freedoms.

“This is the end of Hong Kong, this is the end of One Country, Two Systems, make no mistake about it,” said Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok.

“They (Beijing) are now completely walking back on their obligation owed to the Hong Kong people.”

Amnesty International warned the legislation posed “a quasi-existential threat to the rule of law in Hong Kong”.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

(Note: This is a Article Automatically Generated Through Syndication, Here is The Original Source

Up Next

Hong Kong To Adopt National Security Law “As Soon As Possible”: Leader Carrie Lam

Don't Miss

“Pic Was Cropped, Am Being Made Scapegoat,” Says Man In Viral Photo With Aaliya Siddiqui

Editorial Team

Passionate news enthusiast with a flair for words. Our Editorial Team author brings you the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and engaging stories. Stay informed with their well-researched articles.

Click to comment

India News

Jaipur MP receives death threat via email

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

IANS

Jaipur MP receives death threat on his email

Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra received a death threat on his official email, leading to his PA Arun Sharma filing a police complaint on Wednesday. The threatening email stated, “We will kill you. Delhi is still very far. Wherever we meet you on the way, we will kill you there.”

The FIR was registered at Jawahar Circle police station after Arun Sharma discovered the threatening email at 4.30 am while going through the MP’s emails. MP Bohra affirmed that the cyber cell and technical team of the police are currently investigating the matter.

Arun Sharma, the PA of Ramcharan Bohra, came across the alarming email and promptly notified the MP. Following Bohra’s instructions, Sharma took the necessary steps to report the threat to the authorities. The severity of the situation prompted the police to take immediate action in handling the case.

India News

PM Modi hails First Ram Navami after Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya as a generational milestone

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

IANS

First Ram Navami after Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya is generational milestone: PM Modi

New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Ram Navami, celebrating the birth anniversary of Lord Ram after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Ayodhya is observing its first Ram Navami after the ceremony on January 22.

In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted the significance of this year’s celebration, stating, “The first Ram Navami after the Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya is a generational milestone, weaving together centuries of devotion with a new era of hope and progress.”

He added, “May the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram guide our paths towards righteousness and peace, illuminating our lives with wisdom and courage.” The PM expressed his belief in Lord Ram’s ideals becoming a basis for a developed India and energizing the resolve of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his wishes on the holy festival of Ram Navami, emphasizing Lord Ram’s life as a symbol of justice, social welfare, and self-respect. Amit Shah expressed pride in celebrating the Lord’s birth anniversary at his birthplace temple after 500 years.

“The Lord established the highest ideal of sacrifice for truth and religion through his life and guided the entire world for ages. I pray to God for everyone’s welfare,” Amit Shah stated on X. Ram devotees across the nation are enthusiastic about the celebrations marking this historical event at Ayodhya.

–IANS
dpb/

India News

11 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir qualify for UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

IANS

11 from J&K qualify UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023

Eleven candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified for the UPSC Civil Service exams this year. Aditya Srivastava from Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 1,016 candidates passing. Anmol Rathore, from Doda district, secured seventh All India Rank, also topping the JKCSE 2022. She is currently training in Jammu.

Anmol Rathore, a 24-year-old from Doda district, secured the seventh All India Rank in the UPSC exam. She had previously topped the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Examination in 2022 and is currently undergoing training at the Revenue Training Institute in Jammu. Rathore mentioned that she prepared for the exams on her own using online resources and believes that the youth in the region have immense potential if guided in the right direction.

Arjun Gupta from Kathua district achieved the 32nd rank in the selection list, while Manan Bhat from Srinagar district secured the 88th rank this year. Bhat had previously qualified for the civil services exam and is currently serving as an IPS officer in the Telangana cadre. Other candidates from Jammu and Kashmir who qualified include Harnit Singh Sudan, Mohammad Haris Mir, Mohammad Farhan Seh, Aparajita Aryan, Ghulam Maya Din, Suvan Sharma, Seerat Baji, and Dinesh Kumar.

According to the UPSC notification, a total of 1,016 candidates passed the Civil Service exam this year, with Aditya Srivastava from Uttar Pradesh emerging as the topper. Anmol Rathore, hailing from Doda district, made her mark by securing the seventh All India Rank and topping the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Examination in 2022. Anmol attributed her success to self-preparation and online resources.