What Hong Kong’s new security law could mean for religious freedom

May 29, 2020 by Jill

by Tola Mbakwe, Premier:

A Christian human rights activist says Hong Kong’s new security legislation could negatively impact freedom of religion in the region.

China’s ceremonial legislature, the National People’s Congress, endorsed the security law on Thursday.

The law will alter the territory’s mini-constitution, or Basic Law, to require its government to enforce measures to be decided later by Chinese leaders.

The law will criminalise secession (breaking away from the country), subversion (undermining the government) and terrorism (using violence or intimidation against people).

Ben Rogers, Christian co-founder and chair of Hong Kong Watch told Premier it could destroy Hong Kong’s basic freedoms.

“I think the implications most people believe are that it will become potentially criminal for people in Hong Kong to engage with foreign parliamentarians.

“I think the right to peaceful protests will probably disappear or at least be very restricted.”

Rogers added that the implications of religious freedom could be dire.

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Read also: Is the Anglican Consultative Council endorsing the National Security Law in Hong Kong? by Andrew Tam, Anglican Ink