The Hong Kong government is considering whether to appeal for longer sentences for certain democrats who were recently jailed in the city’s largest national security case. A total of 45 former legislators, ex-district councillors, and activists were convicted of conspiring to commit subversion, with sentences ranging from four years and two months to 10 years. Legal scholar Benny Tai received the longest sentence of a decade behind bars.
The sentencing hearing took place on November 19, 2024, and people queued up outside the West Kowloon Law Courts to witness the proceedings. Secretary for Security Chris Tang explained that the sentences reflected the severity of the democrats’ offenses, which stemmed from their involvement in a July 2020 election primary. The opposition camp aimed to identify candidates to help secure a majority in the legislature, with plans to veto the government budget and force the chief executive to resign if successful.
Tang emphasized the ongoing national security risks faced by Hong Kong, including threats from foreign forces and domestic sources. He noted that there are still radicals who continue to incite violence and promote hatred against the government through subtle influences.
Among the 45 democrats, Joshua Wong received a reduced sentence due to his guilty plea, while former Stand News journalist Gwyneth Ho, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to seven years in prison. The security chief did not directly address the fate of the eight democrats who were arrested but not charged, stating that arrests and prosecutions would proceed based on available evidence.
In response to the sentencing, China’s foreign ministry expressed support for Hong Kong’s efforts to uphold national security, emphasizing the importance of obeying the law and facing consequences for violations. Pro-Beijing lawmaker Nixie Lam commended the court’s judgment as righteous, highlighting the message it sent about subverting the government and social stability.
International reactions to the sentencing varied, with Taiwan’s government asserting that democracy is not a crime and condemning the suppression of political participation. The US, Australia, and the European Union also criticized the sentences, calling for the release of political prisoners and an end to politically motivated prosecutions in Hong Kong.
Human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, raised concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and judicial independence in Hong Kong. They viewed the sentences as a means to punish government opponents and intimidate others, highlighting the precarious state of the city’s justice system.
The Hong Kong Democracy Council condemned the government’s actions as an assault on decades of pro-democracy progress, urging the international community to stand in solidarity with the jailed activists. Despite international scrutiny and condemnation, China reiterated its stance against foreign interference in its affairs and defended its policies in Hong Kong.
