Hong Kong domestic security legislation: ‘reasonable excuse’ may be needed for possessing publications later deemed seditious
- Possessing seditious publications will be incorporated into a new Safeguarding National Security Ordinance under proposed legislation
- Bills committee speeds up scrutiny of legislation, clearing 27 clauses in eight hours on Saturday
Possessing seditious publications, an offence inherited from a colonial-era law, will be incorporated into a new Safeguarding National Security Ordinance under proposed legislation that a Legislative Council bills committee sped up examining on Saturday.
The 212-page bill, mandated under Article 23 of the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, was submitted to Legco on Friday and the committee cleared about a sixth of all clauses after 12 hours of marathon meetings across two days.
While the possession offence’s wording will remain largely unchanged, the maximum sentence will be increased from one year’s imprisonment to three years.
One legal scholar said it was also “troubling” that suspended jail sentences would be removed for sedition offences.
Lawmaker Peter Koon Ho-ming said residents saving old copies of Apple Daily were worried and wondered if they had to dispose of them.
Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying is currently on trial charged with conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications as well collusion with foreign forces.