Where did the books go? In Hong Kong, books written by figures from the pro-democracy movement began to disappear from city libraries, according to online registers, a few days after the entry into force of the National Security Law.
Among the authors whose titles are no longer available are Joshua Wong, one of the most famous activists, and Tanya Chan, a prominent pro-democracy MP. Disappearances which occur after the introduction on Tuesday of a very controversial text imposed by the Chinese regime. This law makes the opposition fear an unprecedented decline in freedoms since the 1997 handover of the territory by the United Kingdom, which has autonomy status.
A climate of fear
The Beijing authorities, who intend to restore stability after several months of protests last year, however, say that this text will only concern "a small minority" of people. A climate of fear has already descended on the city, the police arrest people in possession of symbols of independence or greater autonomy of the territory while traders have removed their posters supporting the movement.
Joshua Wong said the removal of the books was caused by national security law. "White terror continues to spread, national security law is, by nature, a tool to challenge (freedom) speech", wrote on Facebook this figurehead of the movement, using an expression referring to political persecution.
Books that "break the law"
Research on the library website shows that at least three books by Joshua Wong, Tanya Chan and the intellectual Chin Wan are no longer available for loan from dozens of borrow points in the city. On Saturday afternoon, an AFP journalist failed to find these works in a library in the Wong-Tai-Sin district.
The city's department of cultural and leisure services, in charge of managing the libraries, said they were withdrawn because it has been established that they violate national security law. "During their review, the books will not be available for loan and will no longer be referenced," he added. This law aims to suppress subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
Legal groups and legal analysts point out that the very vague wording of this law prohibits certain political opinions, even those expressed peacefully.
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