Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee (center), Secretary for Justice Paul Lam (center left), and Secretary for Security Chris Tang speak to the media on March 19 about the passing of Basic Law Article 23, which CPJ and other groups say poses a threat to press freedom.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee (center), Secretary for Justice Paul Lam (center left), and Secretary for Security Chris Tang speak to the media on March 19 about the passing of Basic Law Article 23, which CPJ and other groups say poses a threat to press freedom. (Photo: AP/Louise Delmotte)
Letters

CPJ among 145 groups condemning ‘chilling effect’ of Hong Kong security law

New York, March 22, 2024—As a new national security law goes into effect in Hong Kong on Saturday, CPJ was among 145 groups across the globe that denounced the legislation, which could deepen a crackdown on human rights and further suppress media freedom in the city.

Enacted under Article 23 of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the law punishes offenses ranging from theft of state secrets to sedition. The statement said this could make journalism “even riskier” and intensify censorship in the Asian financial hub.

Once a beacon of press freedom in Asia, Hong Kong has seen a dramatic decline with journalists arrested, jailed, and threatened since Beijing implemented a national security law in the city in 2020. Among those jailed includes Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily.

The new security law, passed by Hong Kong’s legislature on Tuesday, expands on the 2020 Beijing-imposed legislation.

Read the joint statement here:

Joint Statement to Oppose Article 23Download
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