CIVICUS discusses Hong Kong’s latest security laws with Laura Naw, East Asian and ASEAN Programme Officer at the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a regional human rights network comprising 90 organisations across 23 countries. As a regional organisation, FORUM-ASIA has maintained close collaboration with Hong Kong activists and civil society organisations. This interview reflects the perspective of a regional organisation.
In May, the Hong Kong government rushed two pieces of security-related legislation through the Legislative Council, Hong Kong’s parliament. The new laws aim to expand government powers to tackle perceived security threats by introducing vague and far-reaching offences that are likely to limit freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. Critics warn that they could result in increased surveillance and criminalisation of activism, further weakening the freedoms China once promised to respect. Civil society is responding with advocacy and awareness campaigns.