A Hong Kong court handed down sentences of up to 10 years imprisonment to 45 prominent pro-democracy activists on Tuesday. The activists were convicted under a sweeping national security law imposed by China.
Their alleged offense involved a plan to systematically reject government budget proposals after achieving a legislative majority, aiming to dissolve the legislature and remove the city’s leader from power.
Out of 47 individuals charged, 31 admitted to conspiracy to commit subversion, while 14 others were found guilty after a trial. Two were acquitted.
The severe sentences drew sharp criticism from Western nations. Australia, one of which had a citizen among those sentenced, voiced its objections to both Hong Kong and Beijing authorities.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her government’s “grave concern” regarding the imprisonment of Australian citizen Gordon Ng.
The U.K. government also condemned the action, characterizing it as another instance of Beijing using the 2021 national security law to suppress pro-democracy voices.
“Those sentenced today were exercising their right to freedom of speech, of assembly and of political participation,” stated Catherine West, the U.K.’s Indo-Pacific minister.
The U.S. consulate in Hong Kong echoed these sentiments, denouncing the sentences.
“We urge (Beijing) and Hong Kong authorities to halt politically motivated prosecutions of Hong Kong citizens and to immediately release all political prisoners and individuals incarcerated for their peaceful advocacy for rights and freedoms,” their statement read.
This sentencing follows closely on the heels of a similar case last month, where two pro-democracy journalists received prison terms for “seditious” activities and “illegal ideologies.”
Chung Pui-kuen, 55, and Patrick Lam, 36, were convicted in August of plotting to publish seditious materials through their news outlet, Stand News.
Chung, Stand News’ former editor-in-chief, received a 21-month sentence. Lam, Chung’s successor, was sentenced to 14 months, a term reduced due to pre-trial detention and health considerations.
These two men represent the first journalists convicted of such offenses in Hong Kong since the U.K.’s handover of the territory to China in 1997.