Seven prominent pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have lost their final appeal to overturn their convictions for participating in one of the largest anti-government protests in 2019. Among those convicted were Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, Martin Lee, the founding chairman of the city’s Democratic Party, and five former pro-democracy lawmakers. Their convictions in 2021 for organizing and participating in an unauthorized assembly were upheld, dealing a blow to the pro-democracy movement in the city during a period of political crackdown on dissidents following the protests.
The activists had partially won their appeal at a lower court last year, with their convictions for organizing the assembly being overturned. However, their convictions for participating in the assembly were affirmed, leading to their final appeal at the city’s highest court. This Monday, the Court of Final Appeal ruled against their appeal over the remaining convictions.
Their convictions stemmed from a rally in August 2019 that attracted approximately 1.7 million people demanding greater police accountability and democracy in Hong Kong. While the march was relatively peaceful compared to other protests that year, it led to the conviction of these activists.
The seven activists were sentenced in 2021, with some receiving jail terms while others were given suspended sentences. Despite a partial overturning of their convictions in 2023 which included part of the sentences, some activists remained in custody due to their involvement in other legal matters, including cases related to a national security law imposed by Beijing.
The national security law, introduced to restore stability in Hong Kong after the protests, has been criticized for stifling public dissent and contributing to the decline of the pro-democracy movement that emerged as a significant challenge to the Hong Kong government in 2019.