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The Judicial system of Hong Kong delivered a crushing blow to the city’s pro-democracy movement as 45 activists, lawmakers, journalists, and political figures were handed lengthy jail sentences for subversion under the controversial National Security Law (NSL).
Beijing imposed the NSL in Hong Kong in 2020, which grants Chinese authorities broad powers over Hong Kong’s legal system. This mass sentencing has raised profound questions about the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedom under Chinese rule.
Jail Sentences
The sentences mark the culmination of a year-long crackdown on dissent and political opposition in Hong Kong. Hong Kong once prided itself on its vibrant and relatively independent political landscape. The jailed individuals include prominent figures like Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, Owen Chow and Claudia Mo among others.
Benny Tai is a legal scholar and former university professor and was sentenced to ten years in prison. Joshua Wong is a well-known pro-democracy activist who received imprisonment for over four years. Claudia Mo, sentenced to 4 years, is a prominent Hong Kong journalist and politician. She is a founding member of the pan-democratic Civic Party but later left to form “HK First” with Gary Fan.
These sentences are the latest in a series of actions taken by the Beijing-backed Hong Kong government to stamp out any form of resistance to Chinese authority.
The charges stemmed from the activists’ involvement in a 2020 unofficial primary election. This election was intended to strengthen the pro-democracy opposition in the Legislative Council elections. The pro-democracy camp sought to rally popular support in response to Beijing’s growing encroachment on political freedoms.
With this they aimed to challenge the government’s policies, particularly in blocking pro-Beijing legislation. However, the authorities framed these actions as an illegal attempt to undermine Hong Kong’s government. They cited the sweeping powers of the NSL to justify their actions. The law criminalizes subversion, secession, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces.
Other notable sentences include those of Au Nok-hin, Andrew Chiu, and Ben Chung. These three individuals had testified for the prosecution during the trial. Au received 6 years and 9 months, Chiu was sentenced to 7 years, and Chung received 6 years and 1 month.
Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam, Claudia Mo, Andy Chui, and Gary Fan received the lowest sentences. Each of them received 4 years and 2 months in prison. Many defendants had been detained for nearly four years prior to the trial. As a result, they have already served significant time in pre-trial detention. Owen Chow, a former opposition candidate, received 7 years and 9 months for his participation in the election.
Concerns regarding NSL
This mass trial is a landmark event in Hong Kong’s political history as it signals a complete transformation of the city from a semi-autonomous region with a lot of political freedom to a state tightly controlled by Beijing. The NSL was enacted following widespread protests in 2019 against perceived Chinese encroachment.
Critics argued that it was designed to quash dissent and reassert Beijing’s dominance. The law grants Chinese authorities broad powers over Hong Kong’s legal system, bypassing the territory’s traditional protections for civil liberties and political expression.
The sentencing also highlights the increasing suppression of Hong Kong’s once-vibrant civil society, where activism, journalism, and political opposition have been pushed to the brink of extinction. The court handed down verdicts to the pro-democracy figures, many of whom have been detained since February 2021.
By labeling the primary election as a subversive plot to overthrow the government, the Beijing-backed courts have effectively declared that any political actions that challenge the status quo are criminal offenses.
Furthermore, the case reflects a broader pattern of Beijing’s tightening control over Hong Kong. This undermines the ‘one country, two systems’ framework which was supposed to preserve Hong Kong’s distinct political and economic systems. It was established following Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997. Critics argue that by imposing the NSL, Beijing is eroding Hong Kong’s promised autonomy. These actions violate the autonomy promised to Hong Kong under international agreements.
With a growing number of pro-democracy figures imprisoned or forced into exile, Hong Kong’s future as a global financial hub and a center for free speech and political discourse is uncertain. For now, however, Beijing clearly communicates that resistance to its rule comes at a steep price, and those who dare to challenge it will face severe punishment.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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