Hong Kong’s New Prison Rules Weaponize National Security to Curb Legal and Religious Visits

Hong Kong’s latest clampdown on inmate rights under the guise of national security raises serious questions about the erosion of freedom in a city once renowned for legal protections and individual liberties. Effective immediately, newly enacted prison rules empower correctional officers and magistrates to restrict visitations—including those by lawyers and religious chaplains—if deemed a threat to so-called national security or public safety. How long will Washington stand by as Hong Kong slides further into authoritarian control? This isn’t just about one city; it’s a warning sign for free societies worldwide when governments use “national security” as a blanket justification to...