Civil liberties are becoming more elusive in Hong Kong, one year after national security legislation went into effect.



The legislation that supplements the 2020 National Security Law took effect on March 23, 2024.



The legislation prohibits acts that endanger national security, including stealing state secrets, espionage and external interference. The heaviest punishment for violators is life imprisonment.



Authorities say over the past year at least 16 people have been arrested under the legislation and five of them were charged.



Many cases involve social media posts that officials say incited hatred against the government.



As freedom of speech continues to be eroded, Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy group, the Democratic Party, announced last month that it will disband.



Authorities are expanding their crackdowns to private-sector labor unions and research institutions, which are considered as politically neutral and have long supported civil society in Hong Kong.



Critics say vague definitions of criminal acts would enable authorities to use the legislation arbitrarily.