Human-rights concerns over Hong Kong law
A NEW national security law for Hong Kong (News, 5 June), which sets out to ban “treason, secession, sedition, and subversion”, came into effect on Wednesday. In response, the UK Government announced new arrangements for British Nationals Overseas, including the extension of visa rights and new immigration rules to allow citizens the right to live and work in the UK for longer and gain full British citizenship. The chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Mervyn Thomas, expressed his dismay at a law “which is at odds with Hong Kong’s long-standing status as a city based on the rule of law and respect for human rights”.
US bishop welcomes Georgia’s hate-crimes legislation
THE Episcopalian Bishop of Atlanta in the United States, the Rt Revd Rob Wright, has welcomed the unexpected passing of the Hate Crimes Bill in the state of Georgia. The legislation, which enhances the penalties for crimes motivated by the race, sexual orientation, or religion of the victims, was passed on Tuesday by wide margins in both Houses of the state legislature. It had been held up in a Senate committee without a hearing for more than a year until last week. The hearing was set after an outcry over the death of an unarmed 25-year-old African-American man, Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed by police while he was out jogging near Brunswick in Georgia, in March (Comment, 15 May). Bishop Wright said: “Our state’s citizens deserve a hate crimes bill that affirms equal treatment under the law.”
New Anglican Province of Alexandria formed
THE international secretariat of the Anglican Communion has confirmed the inauguration of its newest member: the Anglican Province of Alexandria. The secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, the Most Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, described it as one of the largest and most diverse in the Communion. The Province will have four dioceses: Egypt, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and Gambella. Its Primate will be Dr Mouneer Anis, who will also continue as Bishop of Egypt until his retirement next year.