The Hong Kong police may set up a public reporting platform and hotline for the implementation of the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law as early as next month, to encourage Hong Kong citizens to report situations that endanger national security.
According to a report in the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s National Security Agency will set up a multi-platform hotline to collect intelligence as early as November this year. The hotline will not be manned by real people and will ensure that the identity of the informant will not be revealed and the information will be handled by the Hong Kong National Security Agency.
The whistle-blowing hotline is said to operate differently than a regular police hotline. A whistleblower can provide information, photos, recordings or videos to the NSD via email, phone or other means of communication, and the NSD police officers will then collate the information collected. The entire reporting platform will be led by the Hong Kong Police Department’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ms. Low Chi Wai.
Hong Kong government sources said that when the Hong Kong public has information that endangers national security, or information about the actions of suspicious people, usually whistleblowers do not want to call the Hong Kong police call 999.
But analysts have countered that the hotline may be set up on the one hand to expose criminals, on the other hand, may be to create an atmosphere of fear in the community, so that the Hong Kong public is in danger.
Hong Kong Democratic Party legislator James Tu pointed out publicly: “Students will report teachers, superiors will report subordinates, and everyone will criticize each other and lose trust”.
In the past, Hong Kong people were allowed to share and discuss their political views with colleagues and classmates, as long as it did not involve incitement or the planning of substantive activities, and even if someone posted Hong Kong independence or anti-communist views, it was not a crime. However, the opening of a hotline for reporting, estranged colleagues or friends can report in order to retaliate against each other, the opening of the hotline is tantamount to encouraging “people fighting people”.
According to Hong Kong media reports, the Hong Kong police set up the “Tuk-tuk Hotline” (whistleblowing hotline) in September last year, and as of October 29 this year, the police had received 1.2 million tips, some of which were successful in helping the police make arrests. The hotline is still in operation.
Since the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law came into effect on June 30 this year, a number of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have been arrested and prosecuted.
Among them, on October 27, three members of the defunct Hong Kong student organization “Student Action” were arrested again by the Hong Kong police on suspicion of inciting secession, among them, He Xinuo and Chen Weixian were released on bail in the early hours of the following day, while the former convenor, John Chung, is still in custody.
On October 1, Hong Kong police arrested at least 86 Hong Kong citizens who participated in the anti-sentinel march organized by the Civil Human Rights Front.
On September 24, Huang Zhifeng, former founder and secretary general of Public Opinion Hong Kong, was arrested by Hong Kong police. Huang Zhifeng was released on bail.
On August 26, Hong Kong police arrested 16 people for participating in the demonstrations last year, including two Democratic Party lawmakers, Lam Cheuk-ting and Hui Chi-fung, with Lam Cheuk-ting charged with “conspiracy to destroy property and obstruct justice” in the “721 Yuen Long incident. Hong Kong Democratic Party Chairman David Hu accused the Hong Kong government of “perverting the course of justice” and creating a “chilling effect”.
On August 23, 12 Hong Kong youths who participated in the anti-sending democracy movement to China, which amended the 2019 Anti-Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, were intercepted by the Chinese Communist Party Coast Guard in the southeastern waters of Hong Kong on their way to Taiwan on a speedboat and have been detained at the Shenzhen Yantian Detention Center.
On August 10, 10 people were arrested on suspicion of violating national security laws, including the founder of Next Media and owner of Apple Daily, Chi-Ying Li, and more than 200 police officers were dispatched to conduct a large-scale search of the Next Media building. More than 200 police officers were dispatched to raid the Next Media building. Among the 10 people arrested was former Hong Kong Public Opinion leader Chow Ting.
On July 31, Hong Kong police formally issued an arrest warrant for four exiles, Luo Guancong, Chen Kaju, Zheng Wenjie, and Huang Taiyang, on suspicion of inciting secession, and Liu Kang and Zhu Muimin, on suspicion of colluding with foreign countries or forces to endanger national security.
On July 29, the Hong Kong police used the National Security Agency to arrest four former members of the Students’ Action Group, including John Chung and Chen Weixian, for allegedly violating national security laws.
On July 18, Hong Kong police arrested democracy activist Tam Tak Chi, who was preparing to run for election to the Legislative Council. Authorities charged him with three counts of inciting people to participate in illegal gatherings.
On July 1, Hong Kong police arrested 10 Hong Kong people, including Tang Yingjie, on the first day of the National Security Law, and cracked down on street protesters and arrested citizens for allegedly violating the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law.
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