Chief Executive Carrie Lam has tried to downplay the potential impact of the Hong Kong’s new security law. Addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council in a video conference on June 30, she said:

“[The national security law] will only target an extremely small minority of people who have breached the law, while the life and property, basic rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong residents will be protected.”

This statement was misleading.
Hong Kong authorities swiftly moved to use the law against dissidents and unveiled sweeping new police powers that restrict freedoms citizens previously enjoyed.

The day after the law came into force on July 1 proved to be chaotic. Police used water cannons and rounds of tear gas on pro-democracy protesters. Journalists were reportedly asked to leave as protesters filled the streets with funeral papers and barricades made of trash and bricks.

Within 15 hours, the Hong Kong Police Force announced its first alleged violation of the law: a man holding a flag that read “Hong Kong independence.”
—————————
READ MORE: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть