Scores of international public figures have criticised Hong Kong's tough new security law, calling it yet another "devastating blow" for freedom, Ednews reports via BBC.

Hong Kong's pro-Beijing parliament unanimously passed the law - Article 23 - after a marathon sitting on Tuesday.

Authorities say the law is essential for stability - it targets a range of offences deemed treasonous.
But pro-democracy activists in exile told the BBC it's a "final nail in a closed coffin".

"The new national security legislation is going to double down the repression on freedoms in Hong Kong with extended egregious sentences and a broadened definition of national security," said Frances Hui, an activist now based in the US.
 
A group of 81 lawmakers and public figures from across the world, including in the UK, US, Canada and South Korea, issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing "grave concerns" over Article 23.
"The legislation undermines due process and fair trial rights and violates Hong Kong's obligations under international human rights law, jeopardising Hong Kong's role as an open international city," the statement said.
The US said it is "alarmed" by the "sweeping and... vaguely-defined" provisions in the legislation, a concern echoed by the EU. The UK's Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the law would "further damage rights and freedoms" and "entrench the culture of self-censorship" in the former British colony.

This sparked a strong response from the Chinese Embassy in the UK, which rubbished his remarks as "a serious distortion of the facts".

"Hong Kong-related affairs are China's international affairs, on which the UK side is in no position to make unwanted remarks. We urge the UK to cease its baseless accusations regarding the legislation of Article 23," the embassy said.

Ms Hui said she is concerned the law could also be used to target HongKongers overseas, or their families and friends back home. The city has previously offered bounties for information on activists who fled overseas, and arrested four people in Hong Kong for supporting people abroad who "endanger national security".

Ms Hui left Hong Kong in 2020 after Beijing imposed a national security law (NSL) that has since seen more than 260 people arrested. It was introduced in response to massive pro-democracy protests which engulfed the city in 2019.

Ms Hui said civil liberties in Hong Kong are "long gone" four years after the NSL took effect. Article 23 expands on the contentious legislation, while targeting new offences like external interference and insurrection. Penalties include life sentences.