For over a year, Hong Kong
citizens have been out on the streets protesting against the proposed
extradition bill, which would have allowed criminal suspects in the city to be
sent to mainland China.
With China pushing
ahead with the implementation of the national security law on Hong Kong,
pastors including pro-democracy activists and religious leaders face a risk of
being extradited to mainland China for trial, according to a US-based Christian
watchdog.
"Under such
laws, vocal Hong
Kong clergy who have been supportive of Hong Kong's democracy movement,
such as Cardinal Joseph Zen and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, could be
extradited to mainland China to be tried, since Beijing considers them to be
threats to the regime," Fox News quoted International Christian Concern
(ICC) as saying in a statement.
"Other
hundreds of protestant leaders or Christian organisations who have actively
spoken out against the Hong Kong government might face the same fate, since
Beijing has said it considers the mass protests that began last June as
terrorist acts and any calls for Hong Kong's independence from China as acts of
sedition," it said.
Last week, Chinese
authorities divulged details of the new national security legislation for
Hong Kong after the three-day meeting of the National People's Congress
Standing Committee, Sputnik reported.
The controversial
legislation comprises six chapters and 66 articles. The chapters, inter alia,
cover general provisions, duties and mechanisms for ensuring Hong Kong's
national security, issues of crimes and penalties, jurisdiction and law
enforcement.
The draft document
lists the main responsibilities of the Chinese authorities regarding national
security, as well as Hong Kong's constitutional responsibility to maintain it.
The legislation sets out rules for the prevention, suppression and punishment
of secessionist activities, attempts to undermine the state authority,
terrorist activities and colluding with foreign states or forces to jeopardise
national security.
