Legislative Council passes resolution to amend Penal Code to clamp down on insults against ministers, judiciary and senior officials
HONG KONG — Insulting government and judicial officials could soon land you in jail for up to 10 years, with fines of up to HK$500,000 (US$64,000), under proposed amendments to the Crimes Ordinance that critics say will further stifle freedom of speech in the city.
The Legislative Council (LegCo) on Wednesday (July 20) voted 40 to one, with two abstentions, to pass a government motion to introduce amendments to the Crimes Ordinance. The bill will now go through the scrutiny of the Bills Committee before it is passed into law.
The proposed amendments will criminalize “insulting conduct” against the chief executive, principal officials, lawmakers, judges, or members of the Executive Council or District Councils. Offenders could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a HK$500,000 fine.
The government said the amendments are necessary to protect the dignity of public officials and to maintain public order. It cited the rise of “doxxing” and other online harassment campaigns against officials and their families as a justification for the new law.
However, critics have slammed the amendments as a draconian attack on freedom of speech and political dissent. They argue that the law could be used to target anyone who criticizes the government or its officials, even if the criticism is legitimate.
“This is a clear attempt to silence dissent and intimidate anyone who dares to speak out against the government,” said Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy lawmaker. “It is a dark day for Hong Kong.”
The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) also expressed concerns about the amendments, saying that they could have a “chilling effect” on press freedom.
“The HKJA urges the government to reconsider these amendments, which could have a serious impact on freedom of expression and the work of journalists,” the HKJA said in a statement.
The proposed amendments come amid a broader crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. In recent years, the government has introduced a number of laws that have restricted freedom of speech and assembly, including the National Security Law, which was imposed by Beijing in 2020.
The crackdown has led to the arrest and imprisonment of dozens of pro-democracy activists and politicians, and has forced many others to flee the city.
The proposed amendments to the Crimes Ordinance are the latest example of the government’s efforts to silence dissent and suppress freedom of expression in Hong Kong..
