Dozens of pro-democracy figures, including prominent leaders, face prison sentences of up to a decade in Hong Kong’s largest national security trial, raising concerns about the erosion of civil liberties.
In a historic and controversial decision, a Hong Kong court sentenced 45 pro-democracy leaders to lengthy prison terms for conspiring to commit subversion. The trial, the largest held under the sweeping national security law (NSL) imposed by Beijing, has cast a shadow over the city’s legal system and democratic aspirations.
Among the convicted were renowned activists Joshua Wong and Benny Tai. Tai, a former law professor and key figure in the unofficial opposition primaries held in 2020, received the longest sentence of 10 years. Wong, a global symbol of Hong Kong’s democracy movement, was handed over four years after his sentence was reduced by a third due to a guilty plea. However, the court denied further leniency, citing Wong’s lack of “good character.”
The trial stems from a 2020 primary election organized by the opposition to strengthen their chances in the Legislative Council elections. The primary, which saw over half a million Hongkongers participate, aimed to empower pro-democracy lawmakers to block pro-Beijing legislation. The effort, while initially celebrated as a demonstration of Hong Kong’s democratic spirit, alarmed Chinese and Hong Kong authorities. Officials accused the organizers of attempting to undermine government stability, arguing the plan amounted to subversion under the newly enacted NSL.
As the verdicts were read on Tuesday, family members and supporters packed the courtroom, with some seen weeping. A heavy police presence surrounded the courthouse as crowds lined up to witness the proceedings. Among them was Lee Yue-shun, one of the two defendants acquitted in May. “This case affects everyone in Hong Kong,” Lee said, urging citizens to question its implications.
The national security law, implemented in 2020 following massive pro-democracy protests in 2019, criminalizes acts deemed threatening to Beijing’s authority. Critics argue the law has been weaponized to stifle dissent and dismantle Hong Kong’s freedoms guaranteed under the “one country, two systems” framework.
International condemnation has been swift. The United States denounced the trial as politically motivated, while Australia expressed grave concern over the sentencing of its citizen Gordon Ng. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recent G20 summit, calling attention to jailed media mogul Jimmy Lai, another high-profile pro-democracy figure awaiting trial for treason.
Beijing and Hong Kong officials maintain that the NSL is essential for restoring stability and safeguarding national security. “No one can escape justice by using democracy as a shield for illegal activities,” China’s foreign ministry stated. They also accused Western governments of undermining Hong Kong’s judicial independence by criticizing the verdicts.
Observers warn that the trial underscores a chilling transformation in Hong Kong’s political and legal landscape. Human Rights Watch described the sentences as indicative of “how rapidly civil liberties and judicial independence have deteriorated.” Scholars and analysts, like John P. Burns of the University of Hong Kong, argue that the case sets a dangerous precedent. “How can it be illegal to follow processes outlined in Hong Kong’s Basic Law?” Burns asked, highlighting contradictions in the government’s justification for the charges.
For many, the crackdown signifies a new era of repression. Activists like Sunny Cheung, who fled Hong Kong after participating in the primary, say the NSL has silenced a generation. “The opposition may be wiped out, but Beijing has lost the trust of the people,” he remarked.
While the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong has been significantly weakened, former Democratic Party chair Emily Lau insists the fight continues, albeit in a more subdued manner. “We will carry on, but peacefully and within the law,” she told the BBC.
The trial’s outcome leaves Hong Kong at a crossroads. With political dissent heavily penalized and self-censorship increasingly pervasive, the city’s future as a semi-autonomous region under Chinese rule remains uncertain.
(Associated Medias) – All rights reserved