Mass protests erupted in Hong Kong in June 2019 against a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be transferred to mainland China. The protests evolved into a broader movement for democratic rights. Beijing imposed the National Security Law (NSL) in June 2020, criminalizing secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces — offenses carrying up to life imprisonment. The UN Human Rights Commissioner expressed "grave concern." Over 10,000 were arrested; virtually all prominent pro-democracy leaders were convicted, fled, or silenced. Press freedom collapsed; major independent outlets were shut down.