Macau’s Security Law a ‘Bad Example’ for HK
03/03/2009 Source: Asia Legal News
A new state security law has taken effect in Macau to punish crimes of treason, secession or subversion against the Chinese government.
BBC News reports it also punishes what it calls “preparatory acts” of these crimes, and the theft of state secrets.
Rights watchdogs have criticised the ambiguous, catch-all language of the law.
Democrat legislators have said the law in Macau is intended by China to set an example for less pliant Hong Kong.
The Chinese government says the law is to fulfill Article 23 of the Basic Law governing the return of the former Portuguese colony of Macau and former British colony of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty.
