Hong Kong government releases draft new national security law
Al Jazeera
New bill includes lengthy prison terms for offences such as treason and longer sentences for acts deemed to be sedition.
The Hong Kong government has released the draft of a new national security law for the Chinese territory after Chief Executive John Lee said it should be passed at “full speed”.
The territory’s Legislative Council began debating the Safeguarding National Security Bill, as it is officially known, at 11am (03:00 GMT).
The draft bill, some 212 pages long (PDF), reveals new laws on treason, espionage, external interference, state secrets and sedition. Those found guilty of treason could face sentences of up to life imprisonment for treason, and 20 years for espionage.
Sentences for sedition, currently handled under a colonial-era law, have also been increased – to seven years from two – and will also cover inciting hatred against the Chinese Communist Party and the country’s socialist system of governance.
Police will also be allowed to detain suspects for two weeks before charging them, compared with 48 hours currently.
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