The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights are fundamental human rights treaties that are generally guaranteed by the national security law. However, other parts of the law may supersede these guarantees. The law specifically specifies that it will take precedence over any Hong Kong laws in the event of a conflict and offers immunity and significant exemptions to the national security institutions and their staff. As a result, the national security statute could be interpreted as invalidating any existing human rights protections in the region.
10.The law has already had an immediate chilling effect:
Since June 2019, many Hongkongers who frequently shared news about the protests online have deleted their social media accounts out of concern that they may be breaking the law. Even before the rule went into effect, businesses and eateries that had previously displayed banners and stickers in support of the protest movement withdrew them.
