Hong Kong National Security Law Results in 330+ Arrests, Dissolution of Pro-Democracy Groups

Five years after China imposed the National Security Law on Hong Kong, the territory's pro-democracy movement has been severely repressed, with over 330 arrests related to national security crimes and more than 160 convictions, according to official figures. The law has led to the imprisonment of numerous activists and politicians, including the high-profile case of Jimmy Lai, and has effectively dismantled opposition groups such as the League of Social Democrats, which recently disbanded citing immense political pressure. Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International warn that the law stifles dissent, erodes fundamental freedoms, and replaces Hong Kong’s vibrant political landscape with enforced uniformity and patriotism. The Hong Kong government and Beijing defend the law as necessary to restore order, safeguard sovereignty, and end years of chaos and violence that threatened the region's stability. The National Security Law's impact has extended beyond arrests, causing the collapse of major pro-democracy parties and significantly curtailing free expression, with further reductions in independent media coverage. As the fifth anniversary is marked, the future of Hong Kong’s civil society and democratic freedoms remains deeply uncertain.