Hong Kong authorities have arrested five people on suspicion of sedition-related offenses following police raids on two independent bookstores, “Have a Nice Stay” and “Greenfield Bookstore,” on July 15. These actions, conducted under the city’s Safeguarding National Security Ordinance—also known as Article 23—continue a pattern of increased scrutiny toward independent publishers and retailers in the territory.
### Escalating Enforcement Under Article 23
The July 15 operations targeted bookstores that had previously operated in a precarious legal environment. According to reports, the police action at “Have a Nice Stay” occurred just one day after the shop announced its closure. The bookstore had cited financial difficulties and the ambiguity of “red lines” regarding which publications might trigger legal repercussions under the city’s national security framework. The arrests follow a series of similar interventions. In March, authorities raided “Book Punch,” arresting four individuals for the alleged sale of books including a biography of jailed pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. Subsequently, in June, police raided “Hunter Bookstore,” which reportedly stocked the Jimmy Lai biography, resulting in two additional arrests.
### The Legal Framework: Sedition and National Security
All official statements surrounding the arrests refer to “seditious” publications or acts under Hong Kong’s Article 23 law (also known as the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance).
### Civil Society and International Response
Human rights organizations have expressed concern regarding the impact of these laws on freedom of expression. Sarah Brooks, Deputy Regional Director at Amnesty International, stated that the escalating focus on independent bookstores reflects a “chilling reality” where the city’s national security framework is utilized to eliminate spaces for dissent. According to Amnesty International, the ambiguity surrounding what constitutes a “seditious” publication forces publishers and booksellers into a state of self-censorship. As authorities continue to enforce the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the long-term viability of small-scale publishing and independent bookselling in Hong Kong remains increasingly uncertain.