China-Ruled Macau Approves National Security Law Allowing Closed-Door Trials

RunWithRugs · 2026-03-20T21:06:35+00:00

Macau lawmakers approved a bill allowing closed court proceedings to protect national security. Judges must refer cases to a committee, which has the final authority on security matters. This follows the city's tightening of its national security law since 2009.

RunWithRugs

2026-03-20 21:06:35

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(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Lawmakers in Macau, a city under Chinese rule, unanimously approved a ‌bill Thursday that allows court proceedings to be ‌held behind closed doors when deemed ‌necessary ⁠to ‌protect national security ‌interests. The city enacted its first national security ⁠law in 2009 and tightened it with amendments in 2023. Last July, leading democrat Au Kam San was arrested for alleged collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security, the first known arrest under that law.

The new legislation stipulates that judges must refer cases to the ‌city’s Committee for ⁠Safeguarding National Security if they believe national security may be at risk during a public hearing.

The committee has the ultimate authority to decide whether the matter pertains to national security and order that hearings be held behind closed doors. Its decisions are final, not subject to appeal or judicial review.

The ‌law will ‌take effect a ⁠day after its publication in Macau’s official ⁠gazette.

The ⁠Macau government said the approval had demonstrated the successful implementation of the principle of “patriots governing Macau”.

Unlike in Hong Kong, which saw big social movements challenge Chinese Communist Party rule in 2014 and 2019, the democratic opposition in the former Portuguese colony has always existed on the fringes amid tight Chinese control.

After Au’s arrest last year, rights groups have called for his unconditional release and urged authorities not ‌to suppress peaceful criticism.

court proceedings national security ‌interests

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