Informants can use the snitch line to send images, audios, videos, e-mails, text messages, chat messages, knowing that their identity will be kept secret. For Human Rights Watch, this is an attempt to impose the mainland’s "informant culture" on Hong Kong. There is no independent confirmation of the law’s “notable results". Carrie Lam has “deeply felt" Beijing’s support.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – Some Hong Kong media have reported that local police are claiming that the new hotline to report violations of the new security law has received more than a thousand tips within hours of going live.
The new service is part of the security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong against secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces
Informants can call the dedicated number to send images, audios, videos, e-mails, text images, chat messages, knowing that their identity will be kept secret.
Since the law cane into force, police have arrested scores of leading figures from the pro-democracy movement.
Much of the international community and the UN Human Rights Office have condemned the law as oppressing fundamental rights.
Maya Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, told the BBC that the new snitch line is an attempt to impose the mainland’s “informant culture” on Hong Kong.
In China, each neighbourhood has an "informant" monitoring neighbours' activities; each building has a "controller"; every foreign family has service people who report on them.
For some observers, the figure quoted by police (a thousand tips in a few hours) has not been confirmed by independent sources. Like in the mainland, it could be a way to impress bosses in Beijing.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam arrived in the Chinese capital yesterday where she met with Deputy Prime Minister Han Zheng (pictured).
She was praised for "the notable results" achieved under the security law, which is "safeguarding the stability of Hong Kong”.
For her part, Lam said that she " deeply felt" the support of central authorities for the city.
(Photo: HK Govt)