In Hong Kong, the consequences of the national security law are beginning to be felt. The local government ordered schools on Monday July 6 to remove books that could violate this law imposed by Beijing on July 1.

Principals and teachers "must examine the teaching materials, including books" and "remove them if they find content that is out of date or that may be similar to the four types of offense" defined by law, a announced the education department of the pro-Beijing government.

This directive to schools was announced two days after libraries said they were removing from their shelves books that could violate this 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 renowned pro-democracy MP.

Controversial security law

The Chinese regime imposed on July 1 a very controversial text on the former British colony which makes the opposition fear an unprecedented decline in freedoms since the United Kingdom's 1997 surrender of this territory, which has a autonomy status.

The Beijing authorities, who intend to restore stability after several months of protests last year, however, say that this law will only affect "a small minority" of people. This law aims to suppress subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

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.

"White terror continues to spread, national security law is, by nature, a tool to challenge (freedom) speech," Joshua Wong, a leading figure in the movement, wrote on Saturday. using an expression referring to political persecution.

With AFP

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