7,378,600 people
Source: Tyranny Tracker
HRF classifies Hong Kong’s governing authority as fully authoritarian.
Hong Kong is formally a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and operates under the “one country, two systems” framework following its handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997. The framework affords Hong Kong limited autonomy over its governance, social, economic, and external affairs, but ultimately requires it to uphold the PRC’s sovereignty over Hong Kong. As part of the framework, the PRC’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee in Beijing drew up Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law of Hong Kong SAR, and reserves the power to amend and interpret it. Hong Kong’s autonomy is a central component of the handover conditions, which are set to expire in 2047. In recent years, however, China has accelerated its efforts to consolidate control over the city, more than two decades ahead of schedule. This tightening of Beijing’s grip is also a direct response to a series of pro-democracy movements that have gained momentum since 2014, as many Hong Kongers push for greater autonomy or even independence.
National elections are a sham. Hong Kong has a multi-party system and holds elections to its unicameral legislature, the Legislative Council (LegCo), every four years. Prior to 2021, these elections were semi-competitive and allowed for participation from candidates aligned with Beijing’s interests and those who advocate for democratic reforms or Hong Kong’s independence. The draconian National Security Law (NSL) and an electoral overhaul unilaterally imposed by China on Hong Kong between 2020 and 2021 effectively empower the Hong Kong governing authority, acting under China’s oversight, to eliminate all forms of political opposition. Most opposition figures have been detained or exiled.
Independent media, political leaders, civil society leaders, organizations, and members of the general public face overt and systematic retaliation if they openly criticize or challenge the governing authority. The governing authority has shut down most major, independent organizations across the city since 2020. Dissidents are under a continued threat of arrest, harassment, and intimidation carried out under the pretext of protecting national security. Public demonstrations have become rare since the governing authority’s crackdown on the mass pro-democracy protests in 2019 and 2020. The governing authority, aided by China, has also engaged in extensive transnational repression against Hong Kong dissidents abroad.
Institutions largely or completely fail to serve as independent checks on the governing authority. China’s rapid consolidation of control over Hong Kong since 2020 has led to radical institutional reforms that subjugate Hong Kong’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches to the Central People’s Government. The NSL creates parallel executive institutions that bypass domestic institutional constraints and are directly accountable to China. The absence of meaningful opposition in the LegCo has reduced it into a rubber-stamp institution. Courts have demonstrably failed to check challenges to the NSL and attempts to undermine dissent instituted under the law.
Hit enter to search or ESC to close
