The revision of the national security law strictly follows the principle of respecting human rights and “must not harm the human rights of suspects,” said Wong Shio at the National Security Agency’s first public consultation today (Friday). Chief Chak said. Law amendment.
During the 45-day consultation period from August 22nd to October 5th, a total of eight public hearings, five for specific fields and three for the general public, will be held. I would like to create a review report for The bill has been finalized and may be submitted to the Legislative Assembly (AL) for consideration in early November.
Chaired by Chief Executive Officer Ho Iat Seng, today’s session focused on the local political and legal community. Lai U Hou, prosecutor’s office coordinator at the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP), said the revision should include evidence-taking issues, as suspects may hand over materials to lawyers and the media. ” When carrying out the examination of evidence.
Prosecutors also questioned whether the bill would add measures to protect witnesses and address situations where suspects choose to remain silent, saying Macau now has no mechanisms to protect witnesses. I added no.
Regarding these “technical issues” of the law reform, Wong said that the overall framework of the law reform is characterized by respect for human rights and therefore the measures introduced do not prejudice the rights of suspects and lawyers. expressed.
Meanwhile, Wong added that the current Code of Criminal Procedure is “sufficient to protect witnesses”, but the SAR will consider proposing amendments for witness protection in the future if necessary.
Minister Wong also emphasized that the “precautionary measures” introduced in the National Security Law Advisory Document should not conflict with other laws.
The document proposed three preventative measures: “intercepting intelligence communications,” “temporary exit restrictions,” and “requesting activity information from suspicious organizations or individuals in Macau.”
Under the Precautionary Measures, law enforcement agencies are permitted to intercept user communications, including requesting relevant information and data from communications service providers.
Law enforcement agencies can also require Macau organizations and individuals to provide information in investigations related to national security laws, although this does not apply to entities that enjoy diplomatic immunity or immunity. Hmm.
Law enforcement can also impose short-term temporary restrictions to ban suspects from leaving the city while an investigation is ongoing.Temporary restrictions last three days, with a maximum of two days. can be updated.
At the council, Zhang Hee Peng, chairman of the Association of Macao Returning Overseas Chinese, said that “external forces will make irresponsible remarks” about the revision, so the authorities should ensure that citizens “accurately understand the importance of the revision work.” suggested that publicity should be strengthened to ensure ”.
“Let the public understand that we are just doing our job and this work is being done in many other countries as well,” he said.
In response to Chan’s concerns, the secretary emphasized, “We are not afraid to speak up,” and said that regardless of whether the opinion on the bill was positive or negative, the authorities wanted the public to be “reasonable.” He added that he hoped to bring forward the proposal “in a reasonable way.”
Also, in response to concerns raised by MP Kou Kam Fai regarding youth education, Wong said the bill would include provisions on civic education and that the SAR government would set a course towards national security in local curricula. He said he would consider doing so.
The revised National Security Law, complemented by criminal law, civil law, telecommunications interception and protection law, among others, serves as the primary backbone of local legal tools on this issue.
The city’s current National Security Law – formally, according to the Portuguese version, the law relating to the defense of national security – was passed in February 2009, in line with what is provided for in Article 23 of the Basic Law. was enforced for the first time in , the city’s mini-constitution on national security based on the principle of “one country, two systems”. The law criminalizes acts such as treason, secession, sedition, subversion, theft of state secrets, the activity of foreign political groups in cities, and the establishment of ties with local groups.
