Hong Kong’s High Court has sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to prison terms of up to 10 years in a precedent-setting trial under the Beijing-imposed national security law. The activists, including prominent figures like legal scholar Benny Tai and activist Joshua Wong, were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion for organizing an unofficial 2020 primary election aimed at selecting opposition candidates for the legislature. Authorities claimed the initiative sought to paralyze the government if the candidates were elected. While some activists pleaded guilty, others were convicted after a months-long trial, sparking outrage among international observers and human rights advocates.
The sentences, ranging from over four years to a decade, have drawn sharp criticism from Western governments. The U.S. labeled the trial “politically motivated,” while Australia expressed grave concern over the suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong. Critics argue the national security law, enacted in 2020, has been used to crush dissent and erode the city's democratic institutions. Meanwhile, China and Hong Kong authorities defend the law as a necessary measure to restore stability following the mass protests of 2019.
The trial has stirred public outrage and global condemnation, with hundreds queuing outside the courthouse to show solidarity with the convicted activists. The ruling, seen as a blow to Hong Kong’s reputation as an international financial hub, coincided with a financial summit aimed at boosting investment in the city. Observers, including U.S. officials, have called the convictions part of a broader effort to stifle freedoms of expression and assembly in Hong Kong, raising concerns about the future of civil liberties in the region.
