Human Rights Watch (HRW) has intensified its outcry against China's use of national security laws in Macao, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of a former lawmaker, Au Kam San. This arrest marks the first application of China’s stringent National Security Law in Macao, a move that HRW describes as an extension of the "broadening repression" under Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Maya Wang, associate China director at HRW, emphasized the worrying trend of systemic censorship and the suppression of democratic freedoms across the region.

Au, a noted pro-democracy activist, was detained on July 30, accused of violating Article 13 of the national security law, which criminalizes establishing connections with foreign groups that endanger national security. This law, criticized for its vague wording, could potentially criminalize mere criticism of the government and has sparked fears of its use to stifle any dissent.

The arrest occurs as Macao navigates the complexities of the "one country, two systems" framework, originally designed to maintain its unique characteristics post-handover from Portuguese control. However, with the 41st anniversary of the Sino-British Joint Declaration nearing—an agreement meant to secure freedoms during Hong Kong's handover—both regions have seen significant declines in freedom of expression. The Global Expression Report 2025 categorizes this downturn as a crisis, reflecting a severe deterioration in civil liberties.

The judiciary’s recent actions, including upholding a ban on the annual vigil commemorating the Tiananmen Massacre and prohibiting political slogans that challenge the political status quo, further reveal an anti-democratic shift. Such judicial decisions underscore the tension between local freedoms and overarching national security priorities imposed by Beijing.

HRW’s emphasis on the right to freedom of expression, protected under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), underscores the international obligations to uphold these rights, which are increasingly under threat in the region.

As global observers and local activists await further developments, the international community continues to scrutinize China's tightening grip on Hong Kong and Macao, watching closely for any shifts in policy or additional crackdowns under the guise of national security.