Human rights groups around the world have condemned Hong Kong authorities for trying to introduce local security legislation to crack down on what they see as threats to national security.

Eighty-six groups issued in a joint statement on Monday to express their opposition to the legislation, which would prohibit offenses including stealing state secrets, espionage and inciting subversion.

The groups argue that many of the proposed provisions are vague and peaceful criticism against the government could be criminalized.

They also said the planned legislation "will bring further devastating consequences for human rights" and urged countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials responsible for introducing the legislation.

On Tuesday, a Hong Kong government spokesperson said the statement "smacks of deliberate smears and is no further from the truth."

The official denied that the planned law would criminalize peaceful criticism against the government.

As for the call for sanctions, the spokesperson said, "such practice interferes through intimidation in the affairs of Hong Kong," adding that it "allegedly constitutes the offense" under the National Security Law.

When the Hong Kong government tried to introduce the legislation in 2003, it faced mass protests and had to give up on the plan.

But anti-government protests have been suppressed since the National Security Law was introduced four years ago.