CSW condemns sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong

CSW condemns the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists by the Hong Kong High Court on 19 November.

The 45 activists were among 55 arrested in January 2021, with 47 officially charged with ‘conspiracy to commit subversion’ under the controversial national security law in February 2021. The sentences delivered on 19 November ranged from four years and two months to ten years in prison, with the longest handed to Benny Tai who is accused of being the ‘mastermind’ behind the democrats’ alleged plans to veto government budgets and force the resignation of the chief executive in July 2020. Tai is a legal scholar and founder of the pro-democracy Occupy Central movement that led historic protests in 2019 calling for free and fair elections in Hong Kong.

The following day, on 20 November, Jimmy Lai, 76, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper and a prominent advocate for democracy in Hong Kong, faced his first trial since his arrest in 2020. Lai, accused of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials under the national security law, is now central to what has become another landmark national security case.

Lai’s trial and the sentences handed to the 45 democrats highlight the far-reaching consequences of the national security legislation, which was inserted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution in June 2020 following months of pro-democracy protests. This legislation, which criminalises subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorist acts, is now seen as a tool for silencing political dissent.

Further development of the new homegrown security legislation passed in March 2024, called Article 23, which covers treason, sedition and state secrets, and allows for trials to be held behind closed doors, is expected to tighten the CCP’s control over Hong Kong.

Foreign governments and overseas NGOs have condemned and expressed concerns over the sentencing of the activists.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘CSW stands in solidarity with these activists for democracy, freedom and justice. Their sentencing is the latest indicator of the highly concerning deterioration in human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, and we call for the immediate and unconditional dismissal of the charges against them. We also urge the international community to hold China to account for its continued and widespread violation of fundamental human and political rights in Hong Kong.’

Note to Editors:

1. Two of the 47 activists charged with ‘conspiracy to commit subversion’ were acquitted in May 2024.