45 pro-democracy Hong Kong activists sentenced to up to 10 years in prison under China-backed law

Authorities in Hong Kong have handed down harsh sentences to 45 prominent pro-democracy activists, with some facing up to 10 years in prison for violating the national security law imposed on the area by China. The activists have been accused of conspiring to veto government-proposed budgets indiscriminately in order to force a dissolution of the legislature and remove the city’s leader.

Out of the 47 individuals charged, 31 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit subversion, while 14 others were convicted following a trial. Two individuals were acquitted in the case. The crackdown on pro-democracy activists has drawn criticism from Western countries, with Australia expressing grave concern over the sentencing of Australian citizen Gordon Ng.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that her government was deeply troubled by the situation. Similarly, officials in the U.K. condemned the move, labeling it as another instance of Beijing using the 2021 national security law to suppress pro-democracy voices. Catherine West, the minister for the Indo-Pacific in Britain’s Foreign Office, emphasized that those sentenced were merely exercising their right to freedom of speech, assembly, and political participation.

The U.S. consulate in Hong Kong also condemned the sentences, calling on Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to halt politically motivated prosecutions of citizens and release all political prisoners and individuals jailed for peaceful advocacy for rights and freedoms. This incident comes on the heels of the sentencing of two pro-democracy journalists in Hong Kong for “seditious” activities and “illegal ideologies.”

Chung Pui-kuen, 55, and Patrick Lam, 36, were found guilty in August of conspiring to publish seditious materials through their Stand News media outlet. Chung, the former editor-in-chief, received a 21-month prison sentence, while Lam, his successor, was sentenced to 14 months but had his time reduced due to various factors. These two men are the first journalists convicted of such crimes in Hong Kong since it was handed over to Chinese rule in 1997.

The crackdown on pro-democracy activists and journalists in Hong Kong has sparked international outrage and concerns about the erosion of freedoms in the region. The implications of these harsh sentences on the future of democracy and free speech in Hong Kong remain to be seen.

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