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Hong Kong Moves to Proscribe Canada- and Taiwan-Based Groups Under Security Law

Officials frame the step as an election-security measure under newly invoked proscription powers.

Overview

  • Authorities named the Canada-based Hong Kong Parliament and the Taiwan-based Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union as targets for a potential prohibition on local operations under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
  • The Security Bureau issued written notices starting the formal process, with any ban to be effected by an order in the Government Gazette after the groups have a chance to make representations.
  • Security chief Chris Tang said the organisations seek to subvert state power by promoting self-determination and a so-called Hong Kong constitution, and he warned residents not to work with them.
  • Tang tied the move to protecting the December 7 Legislative Council election, noting 35 election-related cases and 29 arrests as authorities pledge a crackdown on disruptions.
  • The step follows a recent one-year jail sentence for a woman who promoted the Hong Kong Parliament, and it marks the first time the government has used section 60 of the ordinance against organisations.