Fact Check: "The maximum penalty for sedition under Hong Kong's new laws is 10 years."
What We Know
The claim that "the maximum penalty for sedition under Hong Kong's new laws is 10 years" is rooted in the recent changes to Hong Kong's legal framework concerning national security. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), which took effect on March 23, 2024, replaced the colonial-era sedition law and expanded the scope of offenses to include sedition among others, such as treason and espionage (source-1).
Under the SNSO, the maximum penalty for sedition can indeed reach 10 years if the act is found to involve "collusion with foreign forces" (source-4). This represents a significant increase from the previous maximum of two to seven years under the old law (source-1).
Analysis
The statement is partially true because it accurately reflects the maximum penalty of 10 years under specific circumstances, namely when the sedition is linked to foreign collusion. However, it does not clarify that the general maximum penalty for sedition without such collusion is lower, specifically seven years (source-1).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the primary source being a government publication from the UK, which provides an official overview of the legal changes in Hong Kong. Additionally, reports from reputable organizations like Amnesty International and Reuters corroborate the details regarding the penalties associated with sedition under the new laws (source-2, source-4).
However, the context of these laws is critical. The broad and vague definitions of offenses under the national security laws have raised concerns about their potential misuse against dissent and freedom of expression, which could lead to arbitrary enforcement (source-1).
Conclusion
The claim that "the maximum penalty for sedition under Hong Kong's new laws is 10 years" is partially true. While it is accurate under the condition of collusion with foreign forces, it overlooks the fact that the general maximum penalty for sedition is seven years. This nuance is crucial for understanding the full implications of the new legal framework in Hong Kong.
Sources
- Hong Kong national security legislation, China, April 2025
- First conviction under Hong Kong's new national security law
- Hong Kong: T-shirt sedition sentencing shows malice of new national security legislation
- What is Hong Kong's Article 23 law? 10 things you need to know
- Factbox: Scope of Hong Kong's New National Security Laws
