In a landmark trial resulting in severe sentences for pro-democracy activists, including well-known figures like Joshua Wong and Benny Tai, 45 members of the so-called Hong Kong 47 were convicted under the national security law. This move underscores the escalating government crackdown on dissent following the 2019 protests.
Prominent Pro-Democracy Figures Sentenced in Hong Kong's National Security Crackdown
Prominent Pro-Democracy Figures Sentenced in Hong Kong's National Security Crackdown
The court's sentencing of 45 activists marks a pivotal moment in Hong Kong's ongoing political turmoil under the national security law.
In a significant hallmark of Hong Kong’s strained political landscape, a court has sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists including notable leaders such as Joshua Wong and Benny Tai under the national security law (NSL). This trial, the largest of its kind since the implementation of the NSL, targeted a group referred to as the Hong Kong 47, who were arrested three years ago amid a growing dissent following the pro-democracy protests of 2019.
The convictions stemmed from their involvement in a primary election organized in July 2020, which sought to bolster opposition representation in the Legislative Council (LegCo). The primaries attracted over half a million participants, aiming to counteract Beijing's influence and support pro-democracy candidates. However, authorities claimed that the initiative represented a direct challenge to the government and could lead to a constitutional crisis if successful in electing pro-democracy lawmakers.
Among the sentenced, Benny Tai received 10 years for his role in organizing the primary. Tai, a law professor, previously founded the Occupy Central movement in 2014 advocating for democratic reforms. His counterpart, Joshua Wong—a prominent face in the Hong Kong protests—received a sentence of four years and eight months, echoing his long-standing commitment to the pro-democracy cause since his teenage years.
Other sentenced activists included longtime opposition lawmakers Claudia Mo, who garnered a four-year and two-month term, and Leung Kwok-hung—popularly known as Long Hair—who faced six years and nine months for his vocal opposition and theatrical protests. The group also encompassed various new-generation activists such as Ventus Lau and Owen Chow, along with individuals not primarily involved in politics, but inspired by the 2019 protests, like social workers and entrepreneurs.
The court’s decision comes as an alarming signal of the decline of political freedoms in Hong Kong. Many of the defendants had been held in pre-trial detention since early 2021, a tactic frequently employed under the NSL. These severe sentences reflect the rising authoritarian grip over civil liberties and the continued repression of dissenting voices in Hong Kong, raising profound implications for the region's future political landscape.
