Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were gazetted on Monday and will take effect on Tuesday, according to a statement of the HKSAR government.

At the first meeting of the National Security Committee on Monday, the chief executive, in conjunction with the National Security Committee, exercised the power under Article 43 of the national security law to make relevant implementation rules for law enforcement agencies such as the department for safeguarding national security of the Hong Kong Police Force to implement the measures stipulated under Article 43, the HKSAR government said in a press release.

The purpose of the implementation rules is to ensure that when relevant officers exercise powers and apply measures under Article 43, the objectives of preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for any acts and activities endangering national security can be achieved, according to a government spokesperson.

While the requirement under the General Principles of the National Security Law to respect and protect human rights, as well as the protection of various rights and freedom in accordance with the law, can be complied with, added the statement.

The implementation rules have the force of law, which include search of places for evidence, restriction on persons under investigation from leaving Hong Kong, and removal of messages endangering national security and request for assistance, the statement detailed.

Under Article 43, when handling cases concerning offense endangering national security, the department for safeguarding national security of the Police Force of the HKSAR may take measures that law enforcement authorities, including the Hong Kong Police Force, are allowed to apply under the laws in force in the HKSAR in investigating serious crimes.

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Law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong takes effect

English translation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

The national security law for Hong Kong SAR was passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on June 30 and listed in Annex III to SAR's Basic Law in accordance with the procedures under Article 18 of the Basic Law. The HKSAR government promulgated the national security law in the gazette for implementation at 11 p.m. the same day.