Hong Kong passes controversial national security law
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Hong Kong's legislature unanimously passed a tough new national security law that expands government power to crush dissent.
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The law includes harsh penalties for crimes like treason, espionage, external interference, state secrets, and sedition.
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Critics fear the vague law will erode civil liberties and be used to silence opposition voices.
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It builds on a similar national security law imposed by China in 2020 that has already largely silenced dissent.
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Human rights groups have criticized the law as a devastating blow to human rights and freedom of speech in Hong Kong.