Hong Kong Activists Unjustly Tried and Convicted

Hong Kong Activists Unjustly Tried and Convicted

Hong Kong recently concluded its largest ever National Security Law trial – involving the prosecution of pro-democracy activists from a group known as the “Hong Kong 47.” Fourteen defendants were found guilty of conspiring to subvert state power while two were acquitted.

They were prosecuted under the National Security Law in 2021, for trying to win an election, holding unofficial primaries in 2020 attended by an estimated 600,000 residents.

The plan was devised by organizer and academic Benny Tai, who had previously been jailed over his involvement in the 2014 “umbrella movement.” Another organizer was Hong Kong-Australian dual national Gordon Ng.

The 16 were the only ones to plead not guilty from the group of 47 charged in early 2021 after mass raids of national security police. The other 31 accused, including four who ended up testifying for the prosecution, had already pleaded guilty but the court delayed sentencing until the trial of the 16 was over. The 45 democracy activists currently convicted face sentences of up to life in prison.

Emily Lau, a member of the Democratic party, said Hong Kong has changed greatly. Her party is unable to run candidates or fundraise. But she remains undeterred, “We will continue to push. We refuse to just disappear.”

The United States is deeply concerned by the guilty verdicts announced in the National Security Law trial of pro-democracy organizers in Hong Kong. The defendants were subjected to a politically motivated prosecution and jailed simply for peacefully participating in political activities protected under the Basic Law of Hong Kong.

In response, the State Department is imposing new visa restrictions on People’s Republic of China, or PRC, and Hong Kong officials responsible for implementing the National Security Law.

“Instead of imposing harsh sentences that would further erode confidence in Hong Kong’s judicial system, Hong Kong authorities should immediately release these unjustly detained individuals,” urged State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement. “We urge the PRC government and Hong Kong authorities to uphold Hong Kong’s judicial independence, cease the use of vague national security laws to curb peaceful dissent, and restore the openness that was so crucial to Hong Kong’s vitality and competitiveness as an international business hub.”