Amnesty International released a striking analysis on Monday, asserting that the majority of convictions under Hong Kong's National Security Law since its enactment in 2020 have been unjust. The research suggests that 84.6% of these cases involved "legitimate expression" that international standards would not deem criminal, with no associated violent activities or incitement.

According to the data cited by Amnesty, out of 332 arrests made under the security laws, 189 led to convictions. The organization's findings have ignited concerns over the misuse of the law, particularly against peaceful expressions and advocacy. The law, which imposes severe restrictions on free speech concerning areas under Chinese sovereignty claims such as Taiwan and Tibet, has been widely criticized for its broad and ambiguous language that allows for a wide interpretation by authorities.

Criticism has also come from various international bodies including NGOs, the United Nations, and the European Union. They argue that the law serves as a tool for the Chinese government to suppress pro-democracy movements and to stifle dissent, thereby undermining the rule of law and fundamental human rights in Hong Kong.

The National Security Law was introduced by the Chinese Communist Party without the Hong Kong legislature's approval, a move seen by many as undermining the autonomy promised to Hong Kong when it was handed over from Britain to China in 1997. This autonomy was supposed to guarantee Hong Kong a high degree of freedom distinct from the mainland's political, social, and economic systems.

The implementation of this law marks a significant shift in Beijing's control over Hong Kong, raising alarms about the erosion of the region's freedoms. This latest report from Amnesty International adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the law is being used not just to safeguard national security, but to clamp down on any form of dissent, fundamentally altering the fabric of Hong Kong society.