Hong Kong Court Convicts 14 Pro-Democracy Activists Under National Security Law

In a landmark trial, a Hong Kong court has convicted 14 pro-democracy activists, including former lawmakers, of subversion under a national security law imposed by Beijing. The defendants face up to life in prison.

The trial, known to be the '47 trial,' is the largest prosecution of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong's history. The 14 convicted activists were among 47 democracy advocates prosecuted in 2021 for their involvement in an unofficial primary election. The election aimed to select candidates for the Legislative Council (LegCo) election, which authorities later postponed.

The convicted activists include former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Helena Wong, and Raymond Chan. Other notable figures convicted include Benny Tai, a former law professor, and Joshua Wong, a protest leader and founder of a student group. Two defendants, former district councilors Lee Yue-shun and Lawrence Lau, were acquitted.

Prosecutors accused the activists of attempting to paralyze Hong Kong's government and topple the city's leader by securing a legislative majority necessary to veto budgets. The court ruled that the election participants had declared they would use their power to veto budgets, which would compel the chief executive to dissolve the legislature and eventually step down.

Why this matters: This verdict has significant implications for the future of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, and could embolden Beijing to further restrict civil liberties. The convictions could also lead to a chilling effect on political dissent, potentially sparking further protests and international condemnation.

The national security law, imposed by Beijing in 2020, has been used to crush political opposition following huge anti-government protests in 2019. The law has severely limited free speech and assembly in Hong Kong, with many activists arrested, silenced, or forced into self-exile. Dozens of civil society groups have disbanded since the law's introduction.

The trial has sparked international concern, with diplomats from the United States, Britain, and Europe attending court proceedings. These countries have criticized the trial as politically motivated and have called for the accused to be immediately released.

Sarah Brooks, China Director at Amnesty International, condemned the conviction, stating: *"This extreme mass conviction is the most ruthless illustration yet of how Hong Kong's National Security Law is weaponized to silence dissent." * Brooks emphasized that the convictions are a *flagrant injustice* and that the defendants have been targeted simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and participation in public affairs.

The court's judgment was delivered by a panel of three designated national security judges. The judges cited the 'involvement of foreign elements' as grounds to waive a jury trial. The defense argued that the phrasing of Article 22 of the national security law suggests that any other unlawful means used to subvert state power must involve the use of force or the threat of force, but the judges dismissed this as too narrow.

The verdicts have sparked concerns about the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and the rule of law. The national security law has been criticized for limiting Hong Kong's Western-style civil liberties, which were promised to be retained for 50 years after Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997.

The trial will now proceed to its sentencing and mitigation phase, which could take up to six months. Defendants considered 'primary offenders' or identified as a leader face a maximum term of life imprisonment. Lower-level 'offenders' could be sentenced to between three and 10 years for 'active' participation, while 'other participants' could be looking at as long as three years in jail.

The convictions of these activists mark a significant moment in Hong Kong's recent history, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the city's pro-democracy movement and Beijing's efforts to tighten control. The international community will be closely watching the sentencing phase and any potential appeals.

Key Takeaways

• 14 pro-democracy activists convicted of subversion in Hong Kong.
• They face up to life in prison under national security law.
• Convictions seen as a blow to democracy and human rights in Hong Kong.
• International community condemns trial as politically motivated.
• Sentencing phase to follow, with maximum term of life imprisonment.