Overview
- Macau’s Legislative Assembly unanimously approved the measure on March 19, authorizing judges to hold nonpublic hearings when national security could be compromised.
- Judges must refer potentially sensitive matters to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, which decides if a case is security-related and its rulings are final without judicial review.
- Defense lawyers in national security cases will need clearances from security officials before appearing, reflecting concerns over access to counsel.
- The law will take effect one day after it is published in Macau’s official gazette, according to government statements.
- Officials said the move advances the principle of “patriots governing Macau,” while rights groups point to expanded security powers since the 2009 law, its 2023 revisions, and last year’s arrest of Au Kam San.