Informers’ identity will be protected. Hotline is in place to allow informers to snitch on last year’s pro-democracy protests. Since Hong Kong’s national security law came into effect, police have arrested 22 men and six women.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – The national security unit of Hong Kong police has set up a hotline that people can use to report violations of China’s national security law.
According to the South China Morning Post, the hot line will protect the identity of informers who report information, data, descriptions, movements that threaten the security of Hong Kong and mainland China.
The national security unit was set up with the new national security law, which came into effect on 30 June, in order to crack down on secession, subversion, terrorism and collaboration with foreign forces.
The so-called anti-violence hotline was set up last September to crack down on offences related to months of social unrest, clashes and acts of vandalism that occurred last year during pro-democracy protests.
Whistleblowers can use a special number to send information, photos, audio and video clips to enable law enforcement to search and arrest.
Police report that it received at least 1.2 million pieces of information in a month. Since the end of June, the national security unit arrested 22 men and six women.
Under the security law, police can intercept communications, monitor suspects, frisk people, search cars, flats and planes, as well as open electronic devices and mail.
Until June, police needed a court order to carry out these operations.