Human Rights Watch said there would be an increased likelihood of the use of excessive force.

The current government’s expressed hostility towards undocumented migrants added to the risk of such abuses, said HRW’s deputy Asia director Phil Robertson.

He said the people were with little legal recourse if their rights are violated during the state of emergency, because the Emergency Ordinance prohibits the filing of any legal action against the government or public officer.

“The law should be urgently revised to remove the military’s police powers and end government immunity,” he said in a statement.

He said that tackling the Covid-19 pandemic required government accountability, and “not free rein for the authorities”.

A state of emergency was declared on Jan 12, and a cabinet minister later said armed forces personnel would have the same power as the police to detain and take action against those found violating the MCO.