Posted 3/8/2024, 2:57:00 AM
Hong Kong Security Bill Sparks Controversy with Expanded Government Powers and Harsher Penalties
- Proposes life imprisonment for offenses like treason and insurrection in new national security bill for Hong Kong
- Expands government power to stamp out future challenges to its rule
- Critics warn legislation will make Hong Kong's legal framework increasingly similar to mainland China
- Government justifies necessity due to 2019 anti-government protests
- Public comment period showed overwhelming support for the bill, but business people and journalists fear criminalization of day-to-day work