In a watershed moment for Hong Kong, more than a dozen of the city’s prominent democracy advocates were found guilty on Thursday of subversion charges. This represents the most consequential verdicts to date under Beijing’s stringent national security law, signaling a stark transformation of Hong Kong’s political landscape.
The fourteen activists and politicians were convicted of “conspiracy to commit subversion” due to their involvement in organizing an unofficial primary election in 2020. This primary aimed to select candidates for the legislative elections, a practice reminiscent of democratic procedures worldwide but now deemed criminal under the new security law.
The Trial of the “Hong Kong 47”
These defendants were part of a larger group of 47, dubbed the “Hong Kong 47,” the largest collective prosecution under the national security law. This law was enacted by Beijing following massive anti-government protests in 2019, fundamentally altering Hong Kong’s legal and political fabric.
Among those on trial, 16 chose to contest the charges, enduring a year-long trial. On Thursday, two of these defendants were acquitted—the first not guilty verdicts under the national security law in Hong Kong—while the remaining 14 were convicted. The acquitted included former district councilors Lawrence Lau and Lee Yu-shun, who participated in the 2020 primary.
Impact on Hong Kong’s Democracy Movement
This trial illustrates the profound impact of the national security law on Hong Kong’s once-vibrant democracy movement. Previously accepted oppositional politics are now criminalized, with dissent largely obliterated. Since the law’s implementation, civil groups have dissolved, independent media shuttered, and the legislative council has been filled exclusively with pro-Beijing loyalists.
The convicted defendants face severe penalties, including life imprisonment. These individuals, detained since January 6, 2021, include a diverse array of activists, from seasoned politicians and lawmakers to young protest leaders and professionals across various sectors.
Notable Figures Among the Convicted
Among the convicted are figures such as Gwyneth Ho, a former journalist known for live-streaming an attack on pro-democracy demonstrators, and Leung Kwok-hung, also known as “Long Hair,” a veteran activist. Both epitomize the broad spectrum of the democracy movement, from moderate reformists to advocates of self-determination.
Reactions and Consequences
The Hong Kong and Beijing governments maintain that the national security law has restored stability to the city, countering what they describe as a “vicious plot” to undermine government functions and, by extension, China’s national security. Conversely, human rights organizations and international observers argue that these prosecutions represent an assault on democratic principles and the rule of law.
Following the verdicts, emotional scenes unfolded in the courtroom. Family members of the convicted expressed visible distress, while some defendants responded with stoicism or faint smiles.
A New Legal Landscape
The trial’s proceedings underscore the dramatic shifts in Hong Kong’s judicial practices under the national security law, which mirrors legal standards in mainland China. This includes the absence of jury trials and higher thresholds for bail, significantly curbing judicial independence.
Future Implications
The convictions of the “Hong Kong 47” mark a pivotal moment in the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and its democratic aspirations. With the city’s legislative and district council elections now devoid of pro-democracy candidates, the once dynamic political arena has been fundamentally altered.
As the remaining defendants await sentencing, the global community watches closely, mindful of the broader implications for human rights and political freedoms in Hong Kong. The verdicts not only reflect a crackdown on dissent but also raise critical questions about the future trajectory of one of Asia’s most historically freewheeling cities.