Hong Kong’s draconian national security law has now come into force, despite generalized international criticism that it could erode freedoms in the city. The law will set life-sentences for treason, stricter sentences for sedition, and up to 14 years in prison for those who learn of treasonous acts and fail to report them.
It is uncertain whether the law will extend to priests in regard to “national security crimes” learned about through the sacrament of reconciliation, but the text would seem to suggest so. Paul Lam, the city’s justice minister, stated that “if someone confesses that they are planning to assemble an army tomorrow and subvert the Hong Kong special administrative region or attack the country (…) it is difficult for us to make exceptions.” In the same vein, a spokesperson for the government said that “freedom of religion is not for protecting anyone who has committed serious offenses from legal sanctions. However, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong has reassured believers that confessions will remain confidential regardless of the legislation and acknowledged that “citizens have an obligation to ensure national security.”
Hong Kong was ruled by the British for over 150 years and handed to China in 1997 with the guarantee that it would respect its autonomy and freedoms. However, the Chinese Communist Party has gradually tightened its grip on the city and implemented repressive policies. According to the Financial Times, most Catholics, which account for 400,000 of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million population, are pro-democracy.
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