HONG KONG — A significant sentencing event is set to take place on Tuesday involving numerous well-known activists in Hong Kong, all part of the city’s largest national security trial, which could lead to sentences of up to life imprisonment. This legal action follows the imposition of a comprehensive national security law by Beijing, which effectively dismantled a once-vibrant pro-democracy movement in the region.
Among the individuals facing sentencing are 47 pro-democracy figures who were charged for their involvement in an unofficial primary election held in 2020, shortly after the national security law came into effect. The allegations against them center on accusations of attempting to incapacitate the local government and compel the resignation of Hong Kong’s leader by securing a legislative majority that would allow them to block government budget proposals indiscriminately.
Out of the 47 defendants, 45 have either admitted to conspiracy to commit subversion or have been convicted by judges sanctioned by the government. These judges ruled that the activists’ electoral plans posed a threat to the government’s authority and risked creating a constitutional crisis. Notably, two of the defendants were acquitted of all charges.
This trial highlights the extent of dissent suppression by authorities after widespread protests against the government in 2019, a trend that has also seen media crackdowns and a decline in public participation in elections. Many observers point out that these actions starkly contrast with Beijing’s earlier commitments to uphold civil liberties in the former British territory for 50 years following its handover to China in 1997.
Both the Hong Kong and Beijing administrations argue that this national security law is crucial for maintaining stability within the city.
The cases involve a diverse group of pro-democracy figures, including legal expert Benny Tai, former student leader Joshua Wong, and ex-lawmakers. Many of these individuals have been incarcerated for over three and a half years prior to this sentencing event, causing emotional turmoil for themselves and their families.
During the sentencing hearings, some activists expressed remorse and asked for leniency, while others adopted a defiant stance. Lawyers representing Tai and several others contended that their clients believed their conduct was lawful at the time of their actions.
On Tuesday morning, more than 200 people lined up in inclement weather to attend the court proceedings, including Lee Yue-shun, one of the acquitted defendants. Lee expressed hope that public attendance would signal societal concern for the ongoing legal issues surrounding the case.
Another supporter, known as “Grandpa Wong,” shared his desire to see the convicted activists once more, expressing concern that at his advanced age of nearly 100, he might not live to witness their release.
Wei Siu-lik, a friend of respondent Clarisse Yeung, arrived at the courthouse early, despite an injured leg, to show solidarity. “I wanted to let them know that there are still many people here supporting them,” she stated.
In total, 31 activists have entered guilty pleas, positioning them for potentially reduced sentences. The law stipulates various sentence lengths, ranging from under three years for lesser offenses, to life imprisonment for those found guilty of more severe crimes.
The unofficial primary election held in July 2020, which attracted around 610,000 voters, was intended to select pro-democracy candidates for upcoming official elections. At that time, the pro-democracy coalition hoped to secure a legislative majority, which would enable them to address the demands stemming from the 2019 protests, including increased accountability for police actions and the establishment of democratic elections for the city leader. However, the government later postponed the legislative election expected to follow the primary, citing public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.