National security law: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam demands international respect for the legislation as it is added to city’s Basic Law
- National People’s Congress Standing Committee on Tuesday unanimously passed the legislation before President Xi Jinping signed it into law
- Carrie Lam urges the global community to accept the legislation targeting secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces
In a video message to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, Lam said: “I urge the international community to respect our country’s right to safeguard national security, and Hong Kong people’s aspirations for stability and harmony.”
The legislation would only target an extremely small minority of people who had broken the law, while the basic rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong residents would be protected, the city’s chief executive said in a recorded message released during the 44th regulation session of the council.
Beijing’s top legislative body on Tuesday morning unanimously passed the sweeping law for Hong Kong prohibiting acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security.
It is expected to carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and take effect later on Tuesday, the eve of the 23rd anniversary of the city’s handover to China from British rule.