In a stunning blow to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, dozens of the city’s most prominent activists have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms, marking the culmination of Hong Kong’s largest national security trial to date. The harsh punishments, ranging from 4 to 10 years, underscore Beijing’s increasingly tight grip on the once freewheeling territory.
The “Hong Kong 47” and Unofficial Primaries
The jailed activists, known collectively as the “Hong Kong 47,” were among a group charged in 2021 under Hong Kong’s draconian national security law. Their alleged crime? Participating in unofficial pre-election primaries in 2020, with the aim of selecting pro-democracy candidates for Hong Kong’s general election.
Prosecutors alleged that the primaries were part of a subversive plot to win a majority in the legislature, block bills, and ultimately force the resignation of Hong Kong’s chief executive. The defendants, however, maintain that they were merely exercising their democratic rights.
Prominent Figures Sentenced
Among those sentenced was Benny Tai, a legal scholar and activist who received a staggering 10-year sentence—the longest under the national security law thus far. Tai was accused of being the mastermind behind the primary scheme.
Another high-profile activist, Joshua Wong, was handed a sentence of 4 years and 8 months. Wong, already serving time on other protest-related charges, was labeled an “active participant” in the primaries plan. The court controversially ruled he was “not of good character” due to his prior convictions.
“We strongly condemn the sentencing,” a US consulate spokesperson in Hong Kong declared, adding that the defendants were “prosecuted and jailed for peacefully participating in normal political activity.”
International Outcry
The trial and its outcome have drawn intense international scrutiny and condemnation. Western governments, human rights organizations, and legal groups have slammed the prosecution as a politically motivated assault on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed grave concern over the 7-year sentence handed to Australian-Hong Kong dual national Gordon Ng. “We’ve conveyed our strong objections to Chinese and Hong Kong authorities about the broad application of the national security law,” Wong stated.
Hong Kong’s Shifting Political Landscape
The “Hong Kong 47” trial starkly illustrates the city’s dramatically altered political landscape in the wake of the 2019 pro-democracy protests. The national security law, imposed by Beijing in 2020, has been wielded to crush dissent, gut civil society, and bring Hong Kong’s once vibrant opposition to heel.
With legislative elections now reserved for “patriots” and public criticism of the government effectively criminalized, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement faces an uncertain future. As the jailed activists begin their lengthy sentences, many fear that Hong Kong’s days as a bastion of freedom and openness are numbered.
“I have to come and give a little support,” said Dennis, a former district councilor who lined up in the early morning to attend the sentencing. “Compared to what they’re suffering inside prison, waking up early on a rainy day is nothing.”
As the “Hong Kong 47” begin their prison terms, their plight serves as a stark reminder of the human costs of Hong Kong’s ongoing struggle for democracy under an increasingly assertive Beijing. The world will be watching closely to see what the future holds for the embattled city and its beleaguered pro-democracy movement.
