Mass arrests in Hong Kong. What's going on?

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Hong Kong police arrested 53 pro-democracy activists including politicians and campaigners in one of the biggest crackdown by authorities since Beijing imposed a new national security law.

Authorities said the arrest was made towards those who were involved in holding primaries intended to win a majority of seats in the Hong Kong election, which they alleged was part of a plan to ‘overthrow’ the government in July 2020.

Under the national security law, subversion carries a maximum penalty of life in prison for ‘principal offenders’.

Police stand guard outside pro-democracy activist Lester Shum’s office after over 50 Hong Kong activists arrested under security law as crackdown intensifies, in Hong Kong, China January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

THE CRACKDOWN

A police spokesman said the operation involved 1,000 officers in 72 premises which included offices of pollster, law firm, offices of media outlets Apple Daily, Stand News, Inmediahk.

Those arrested include former lawmakers Helena Wong, Lam Cheuk-ting, Chu Hoi-dick, Claudia Mo, and Leung Kwok-Hung and co-organisers of the polls, James To, Lam Cheuk-ting, Benny Tai and Lester Shum.

A human rights lawyer, John Clancey, a US citizen, is believed to be one of the first expatriates arrested under the law.

Jailed activist Joshua Wong, on his Facebook, said his home was raided on Wednesday morning.

American lawyer John Clancey walks out of a building as he is taken away by police officers in Hong Kong, China January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Lam Yik

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Hong Kong’s security secretary said the government will not tolerate “subversive” acts

Critics say the crackdown since the imposition of the security law crushes wide-ranging freedom promised when Britain agreed to return Hong Kong to China in 1997.

US President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Twitter the arrests were “an assault on those bravely advocating for universal rights. The Biden-Harris administration will stand with the people of Hong Kong and against Beijing’s crackdown on democracy.”

Taiwan said it was shocked at the arrests, adding that Hong Kong had changed from the “pearl of the Orient” to “purgatory of the Orient”.

Australia’s foreign minister, Marise Payne said: "Australia has consistently expressed concern that the National Security Law is eroding Hong Kong's autonomy, democratic principles and rule of law."

China supports Hong Kong authorities in fulfilling their duties and said that Hong Kong people’s rights and freedom according to the law are not affected.

Now, democracy activists have called on the government to release the “political prisoners” while describing the act as “shameful” and represented oppression on the right to vote.

Pro-democracy activist Lester Shum is taken away by police officers after over 50 Hong Kong activists arrested under security law as crackdown intensifies, in Hong Kong, China January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

READ: The impact of national security law in Hong Kong

WHAT IS HK’S NATIONAL SECURITY LAW AND WHY IT IS WORRYING

The law came into effect on 30th June 2020.

The law allows Beijing the power to override local laws and impacts the Hong Kong society and foreign nationals overseas.

Among the law’s key provision include:

Crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Damaging public transport facilities can be considered terrorism
People suspected of breaking the law can be wire-tapped and put under surveillance
Beijing will establish a new security office in Hong Kong, with its own law enforcement personnel - neither of which would come under the local authority's jurisdiction
This office can send some cases to be tried in mainland China - but Beijing has said it will only have that power over a "tiny number" of cases.
Some trials will be heard behind closed doors.

Chief Executive, Carrie Lam explained that the law would fill a "gaping hole" and not undermine Hong Kong's autonomy or its independent judiciary. She also promised it would not be retroactive.