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Hong Kong invokes security law for first time to ban overseas ‘subversive’ groups
Security Bureau urges public not to participate in activities of ‘Hong Kong Parliament’ and ‘Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union’
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The Hong Kong government has exercised its power under the city’s domestic national security law for the first time to ban two organisations deemed subversive.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung on Tuesday prohibited the operation of the Canada-based “Hong Kong Parliament” and the Taiwan-based “Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union” in the city.
The ban was made with the power granted to Tang under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
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The ordinance was enacted in 2024 as required by Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, and complements a similar legislation imposed by Beijing in 2020.
“Having carefully considered all relevant information … the secretary for security reasonably believes that the prohibition of the operation or continued operation of the Hong Kong Parliament and the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union in Hong Kong is necessary for safeguarding national security,” a spokesman for the Security Bureau said.
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“The two groups have become ‘prohibited organisations’ immediately.”
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