Hong Kong Court Upholds Convictions in Pro-Democracy Activists Case
A court in Hong Kong has decisively upheld the convictions and sentences of pro-democracy activists, marking a pivotal moment in the enforcement of a Beijing-imposed national security law. This ruling pertains to the widely known "Hong Kong 47" case, which involved the arrest of numerous leading campaigners and politicians in early 2021 on charges of conspiracy to commit subversion.
Background of the Case
The case originated from an unofficial primary election organized by pro-democracy activists in mid-2020, aimed at selecting strong candidates for a council election. Prosecutors argued that the activists conspired to secure a majority to paralyze the government by obstructing the city's annual budget, with the intent of forcing Hong Kong's leader to resign. This mass prosecution effectively dismantled much of Hong Kong's once-vibrant pro-democracy movement, which had been prominent during the massive anti-government protests of 2019.
Court Ruling and Sentences
In 2024, forty-five of the defendants were sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to ten years, a move that drew sharp criticism from foreign governments and human rights organizations. The recent appeals by eleven activists, including former politicians Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Raymond Chan, and Helena Wong, were dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Additionally, appeals over sentences brought by ten of these individuals and another activist were also rejected.
Hong Kong's government stated that the court's decision demonstrates that anyone endangering national security will be punished in accordance with the law. Officials in both Hong Kong and Beijing maintain that the trials were fair and that the national security law, implemented in 2020, has been instrumental in restoring order following the protests.
Acquittals and Releases
Among the defendants, Lawrence Lau, a pro-democracy former district councillor, was one of two activists acquitted in the original case. Judges upheld his acquittal after the prosecution appealed the decision. So far, eighteen of the forty-five convicted democrats have been released after serving their jail terms, including former district councillors Jimmy Sham and Lester Shum.
Reactions and International Concern
After the ruling, the defendants appeared calm and waved to their families and supporters, some of whom had waited outside the courtroom since Saturday to secure seats. Chan Po-ying, the wife of activist Leung Kwok-hung, expressed frustration, questioning, "What crimes have they committed?"
However, a spokesperson for Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas criticized the court, stating it "missed a critical opportunity to correct this mass injustice" and emphasizing that "peaceful opposition to a government is not a crime." The Australian government's foreign minister, Penny Wong, also voiced concern over the appeal loss of its citizen, Gordon Ng.
This case continues to highlight the ongoing tensions between Hong Kong's pro-democracy movements and the enforcement of national security measures, with significant implications for political freedom and legal proceedings in the region.
