| Safeguarding National Security Ordinance | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Legislative Council of Hong Kong | |
| |
| Citation | Ordinance No. 6 of 2024 (Instrument A305) |
| Territorial extent | Hong Kong Worldwide (extra-territorial for some offences) |
| Passed | 19 March 2024 |
| Signed by | John Lee Ka-chiu |
| Signed | 22 March 2024 |
| Effective | 23 March 2024 |
| White paper | Public Consultation on Basic Law Article 23 Legislation |
| Legislative history | |
| Introduced by | Secretary for Security Chris Tang |
| Introduced | 8 March 2024 |
| First reading | 8 March 2024 |
| Second reading | 19 March 2024 |
| Third reading | 19 March 2024 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Committee report | Report of the Bills Committee on Safeguarding National Security Bill |
| Summary | |
| To comprehensively address the national security risks at present and those that may emerge in the future in Hong Kong and to fully implement the constitutional duties and obligations as stipulated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the 5.28 Decision and the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law | |
| Status: In force | |
The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (Chinese: 維護國家安全條例)[1] is a local law of Hong Kong. It was introduced by the Government of Hong Kong on 8 March 2024, passed by the Legislative Council on 19 March 2024, and took effect on 23 March 2024. The ordinance is enacted to implement Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law.[2][3]
On national security grounds, the ordinance gives new powers to the government to investigate "external interference", theft of state secrets, insurrection, and treason, with penalties up to life imprisonment for those found guilty of certain crimes specified by the law.[4] It is the second national security law implemented in the city. Foreign media and government expressed concern of the "sweeping" and "tough" clauses, which some considered to be more far-reaching than and go beyond the central government's one, that could further reduce the space for dissident views and erode autonomy of Hong Kong.
Instead of the usual six-month period, the authorities took 50 days from the launch of a public consultation to writing it into law, due to a sense of urgency underscored by Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. Critics said the bill was rushed through in a fast-track process without meaningful discussions.
- ^ "Address by CE to LegCo on passage of Safeguarding National Security Bill". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ "As it happened: Hong Kong Article 23 bill readings advance in Legco, with lawmakers set for marathon meetings over weekend to push forward legislation". South China Morning Post. 8 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Public consultation on Basic Law Article 23 legislation commences". The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 30 January 2024. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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