Hong Kong
CNN
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Some were seasoned politicians and veteran protest leaders. Others were academics, unionists and health care workers. They hailed from different generations and held a range of political views, but were brought together by what they say was a shared commitment to Hong Kong’s democratic future.
Now, the “Hong Kong 47,” as the group of pro-democracy activists in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory has come to be known, will start appearing in court from Monday facing charges that could send them to prison for life.
Sixteen of the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges laid against them and are expected to be the first ones to take the stand.
Their alleged crime? Organizing and participating in an unofficial primary election that prosecutors have called a “massive and well-organized scheme to subvert the Hong Kong government.”
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2023-02-06 00:09:22 Landmark national security trial of Hong Kong democracy activists begins. Here’s what you need to know
Link from www.cnn.com
Today marks the start of a landmark trial that will have far-reaching consequences for Hong Kong. Nine pro-democracy activists, including prominent figures such as Joshua Wong, are on trial for their involvement in an illegal assembly that took place in June 2019.
The nine activists are: Joshua Wong, Figo Chan, Ivan Lam and Agnes Chow, all of whom are founders of the now-disbanded Student Front party Demosisto, as well as Lester Shum and Tommy Cheung, veteran democrats and a member of the concern group Power for Democracy; Ventus Lau, Tony Chung, and Roy Tam, activist leaders of various civil society organisations. All nine activists were involved in an illegal assembly organised by the Civil Human Rights Front on June 16 2019, which marked the one-year anniversary of the citywide mass protests of the previous year.
The nine activists will face charges for participating in the illegal assembly, which took place in front of the Legislative Council Complex, in addition to separate charges for inciting, organising, and taking part in unauthorised assemblies in 2019. It is believed that this is the first time that national security laws have been used to prosecute pro-democracy activists for participation in unauthorised protests, and marks a significant shift in the Hong Kong government’s stance on democracy.
The defendants all face possible prison sentences of up to five years. The sentences could be even harsher if the court rules that the crimes were committed out of a “dislike” for the government, which would qualify them as acts against the state.
The trial will be closely watched around the world, as it is seen as a major test of the government’s ability to crack down on pro-democracy voices. It is also seen as a bellwether of the fate of the city’s free and open society, which has been eroded since the implementation of the national security law.
No matter the outcome of this case, it is clear that the Hong Kong government is serious about using national security laws to stifle dissent, and that the defendants are paying the price for standing in the way of its agenda.