The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (May 30) strongly disapproved of and condemned all baseless allegations by the United States (US) Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) and the European Union (EU) against the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and Police National Security Department's law enforcement action which simply do not stand up to the facts.
​The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.
​For the concerned law enforcement action taken by the Police in accordance with the Ordinance, investigation revealed that the acts of the arrested persons involved repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intention on a social platform with content provoking hatred towards the Central Government, the HKSAR Government and the Judiciary, as well as inciting netizens to organise or participate in relevant illegal activities. Offences in connection with seditious intention are very serious crimes, and no jurisdictions, including the US and those from the EU, will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security.
We have emphasised time and again that the Ordinance only targets an extremely small minority of people who endanger national security, with the aim of protecting the lives, property, freedoms and rights of the people of Hong Kong. The offences under the Ordinance, including offences in connection with "seditious intention" will not hinder legitimate expression of opinions, such as making reasonable and genuine criticism of government policies based on objective facts.
The Ordinance clearly specifies that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law, as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, are to be protected in accordance with the law.
The Ordinance is a piece of legislation to defend against acts and activities endangering national security. Only invaders who want to intrude into our home to plunder and loot should be worried by the Ordinance.
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