03/21/2024 Hong Kong (International Christian Concern) – Hong Kong passed a controversial security law, Article 23, on March 19, raising concerns among locals for its reach and severity. The bill imposes harsh punishments, including life in prison for treason, insurrection, or any threats to China’s sovereignty. It would also allow police to detain a suspect without charge for 14 days in addition to the 48 hours.
Religious leaders in Hong Kong are concerned about the impacts of this bill on Christian practices and ceremonies and asked for exemptions in the law for Christian leaders and church rituals.
Concerns about the growing influence of China in Hong Kong continue to mount. A Hong Kong court recently sentenced 12 people, some up to seven years imprisonment for rioting in the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Sources have told ICC staff that thousands of Hong Kong citizens are still detained and imprisoned from the 2019 protests, with nearly half of those being Christians.
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