China-Ruled Macau Approves Controversial National Security Law Allowing Closed-Door Trials
Lawmakers in Macau, a special administrative region under Chinese rule, have approved a new national security law. This legislation controversially allows court proceedings to be held behind closed doors if deemed necessary to protect national security interests, raising concerns about transparency and due process.
On March 19, 2026, Macau's Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a new national security bill that allows judges to conduct trials behind closed doors in cases involving national security matters. The legislation, which expands Macau's existing national security framework established in 2009 and amended in 2023, also requires defense lawyers to obtain security clearance from national security officials before representing clients in such cases, as they will have access to classified information. The bill extends beyond criminal cases to include civil and administrative litigation involving national security concerns.
Secretary for Administration and Justice Wong Sio Chak stated that the measure "further strengthens the top-level framework for safeguarding national security" and demonstrates the principle of "patriots governing Macau." Under the new framework, judges will receive legally binding opinions from Macau's Committee for Safeguarding National Security (CDSE) on relevant cases. The legislation was passed as part of ongoing efforts to align Macau's legal system with national security priorities.
The development follows the first known application of Macau's national security law in July 2025, when authorities arrested former legislator Au Kam-san for alleged foreign collusion. This new legislation represents a significant expansion of judicial powers in national security cases, raising concerns among some analysts about potential impacts on government department functioning and rights guaranteed by Macau's Basic Law, which serves as the territory's mini-constitution.
While the bill was passed unanimously by Macau's Legislative Assembly, international observers have expressed concerns about transparency and due process implications. The legislation comes amid broader regional developments in national security legislation, including Hong Kong's passage of Article 23 legislation in March 2024. The new Macau law continues the trend of expanding national security frameworks in China's special administrative regions, with critics warning about potential erosion of judicial independence and civil liberties.
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