Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said on Tuesday that law-abiding residents need not worry about inadvertently violating national security laws under Article 23 of the Basic Law, noting that the legislation will be clearly specified.

Speaking at a press conference to launch the government's public consultation on the legislation, Lam said the laws target an extremely small number of people who threaten national security.

"One of the principles of the rule of law is that there should be reasonable certainty in the law. The proposed legislation will clearly define the elements of the relevant offences, including criminal conduct and intent, and will be targeted precisely at acts that endanger national security," he said.

"We are considering including appropriate exceptions and defence provision so that law-abiding residents do not have to worry about inadvertently breaking the law."

He noted that maintaining national security is consistent with protecting human rights.

Lam explained that, as people can see from the social unrest in 2019, without national security, residents cannot exercise their rights and freedoms, while their personal security and assets are threatened.

That's why the purpose of national security legislation is to better protect everyone's life, property, investment, rights and freedoms, he said.

The security minister added that the enactment of national security legislation is an international practice and there are many overseas examples in the consultation document.

The government said it takes reference from security laws in other jurisdictions, but will not simply copy them for the SAR's implementation.