China wrote and passed the latest national security law for Hong Kong behind closed doors, without consulting the local government of the city or legislature. The legislation came into force on 30th June, possibly revising the legal system of the city- regardless of the fact, the devastating majority of citizens have no idea of what precisely it will involve.

China’s national security legislation for Hong Kong will reportedly come into force on July 1, potentially rewriting the city’s legal system — despite the majority of residents having no idea what precisely it will entail | Analysis by @jgriffiths https://t.co/p7EfljYmtC

— CNN International (@cnni) June 30, 2020

According to some reports in government-controlled media, the law expected to criminalize crimes like subversion, withdrawal against the central government of China, terrorism, and planning with foreign forces. However, hours after its details remain unclear, reported passage, overlaying a specifically dense process that left activists and analysts guessing.

Carrie Lam, the city’s leader, initially declined to answer questions about the law while speaking at a weekly press conference on Tuesday. She pronounces that it was inappropriate for him to comment. A few hours later, Lam defended it in a video message to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, saying it will bring back prosperity and stability to Hong Kong.

Her administration seems to cut nearly entirely out of the process – yet it did not stop them forecasting the law would only impact a minute minority of people in the city, and won’t damage judicial autonomy and political freedoms. Lam stated last week that the legislation would be in line with the rule of law as well as the rights & liberties, applicable in Hong Kong.

The Chilling effect of the new Law

Joshua Wong, the prominent activist, announced soon after the reported passage of the bill that he may leave the Demosisto, his co-founded the party in 2016 but would continue to run campaign independently. Other prominent figures in the party, including activist Agnes Chow and former representative Nathan Law, soon followed suit, and what left for the leadership of the party finally decided to cease operations.

Chow barred from standing for the 2018 elections because of her membership in Demosisto, which formerly called for the residents of Hong Kong to be allowable to choose their own future, including voting on a possible break from China. These types of talks will be unlawful under the passed law if it follows the model of a similar law in China as expected. Chow, Wong, and Law would also involve in politicizing the international community to pressure China over Hong Kong, which several expect to classified as colluding with external forces.

Similarly, two other political parties, Studentlocalism, and the Hong Kong National Front states that they were terminating operations in Hong Kong, through both groups – outlying pro-independence parties – said they might continue to work foreign. In recent months, some pro-independence leaders known to fled Hong Kong, fearing detention in connection with the previous year’s frequently anti-government violent protests or the forthcoming law.

Convenor of the Hong Kong Independence Union, Wayne Chan confirmed on Sunday that he availed the bail and left the city. He is facing charges about the protest. Chan wrote on his official account that after the passage of national security law, they might foresee that officials will arrest a large group of political leaders without bail.

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