MACAO — On March 19, 2026, lawmakers in Macao unanimously passed a law allowing closed-door court proceedings in cases where authorities deem public hearings could harm national security. The law will take effect one day after its publication in the official gazette.

If both judges and the Macao national security committee decide that public hearings could harm national security, judges may hold court proceedings behind closed doors under the law. The law adds authority to the Macao national security committee to declare cases where public hearings could harm national security.

The legislation expands the Macao national security committee's membership to include the heads of cultural affairs, education, and youth development. The current membership includes security officials, police chiefs, and the city leader. The committee's duties include studying how to implement security policies of the central Beijing government.

"The bill passed Thursday is of great significance for effectively safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests," the Macao government said.

In 2025, Macao police detained former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San on suspicion of colluding with outside forces in breach of the territory's national security law. The detention of Au Kam San was the first publicly known case under Macao's national security law after its enactment in 2009 and revision in 2023.

Macao is a special administrative region of China alongside Hong Kong.