1/n: The national security law for HK was just put on the gazette. These things are new:
1. It is confirmed that the maximum sentence for all of the four offences is *life imprisonment*
The full draft: gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/2…
1. It is confirmed that the maximum sentence for all of the four offences is *life imprisonment*
The full draft: gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/2…
2/n: China will exercise its jurisdiction when the it’s difficult for the SAR to do so due to the complexity in foreign interference; when the SAR is unable to enforce the law or when national security is seriously endangered (i.e. whenever they want cos that’s awfully vague).
3/n: Defednants will be tried in *mainland courts* according to *mainland law* in cases which China has jurisdiction over.
The natsec office set up by the CPG is above the SAR gov. Departments of the SAR gov must facilitate and must not obstruct the work of the natsec office.
The natsec office set up by the CPG is above the SAR gov. Departments of the SAR gov must facilitate and must not obstruct the work of the natsec office.
4/n: The Secretary for Justice has the power to order for a trial *without jury* out of protection of state secrets, or when the case involves foreign forces or out of personal safety concerns of members of the jury and their family members (again, i.e. whenever they want)
5/n: The law applies to non-permanent residents and acts committed outside the HKSAR.
It also applies to companies, societies that are registered outside the HKSAR or foreign non-legal entities.
(Lol)
It also applies to companies, societies that are registered outside the HKSAR or foreign non-legal entities.
(Lol)
6/n: (It’s not worth explaining the criminal elements of the four offences as it’s going to operate in mainland fashion; it’s not even drafted like other criminal statutes in HK. Plus, they have the power to define, redefine and reinterpret them in any way, at anytime they like.)
7/n: Any decisions made by the National Security Committee chaired by the Chief Executive will be *immune from judicial review*, (not that it’s a still an effective device of check and balance anyway)
8/n: Upon conviction under the national security law, any person running for elections or assuming public offices (LegCo members, DCers, ExCo members, gov officials, civil servants, judges and members of the judiciary, EC members) will lose their eligibility/ office immediately.
9/n: Attaching the thread on the earlier Xinhua report on the NSL here
**Correction: it applies to acts committed outside the HKSAR by companies, societies and unincorporated associations that are set up in Hong Kong, *not those that are registered outside the HKSAR*
