Latest news with #China-imposed
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Twelve Hong Kong activists appeal convictions in landmark ‘47 democrats' case
HONG KONG: Twelve Hong Kong pro-democracy activists appealed their subversion convictions and jail terms on Monday in a national security case that has spotlighted Beijing's ongoing crackdown on dissent and drawn international criticism. The appeal stems from the '47 democrats' case, named for the number of activists who were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit subversion in 2021. The court eventually found 45 of the defendants guilty of organising and holding an unofficial primary election in July 2020 soon after Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in response to pro-democracy protests the year before. Two defendants were acquitted. Prosecutors considered the action to be a plot to undermine the Hong Kong government. Security was tight around the West Kowloon law courts as scores of police officers, some with police dogs, patrolled the area and occasionally searched passers-by. 'They're not criminals,' said an elderly man surnamed Wong who was among around 100 people queuing to get a public ticket for the hearing. Foreign diplomats from over half a dozen countries were in attendance for this latest stage of the legal saga that began with dawn police raids on the homes of high-profile democrats in early 2021. Some rights groups and countries have condemned the case as politically motivated and called for the release of the democrats who were sentenced last November to prison terms of between four and 10 years. 'This appeal hearing is a chance for the courts to start righting the wrongs of this unprecedented mass prosecution,' said Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International's China director. Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have defended the independence of the judiciary, saying no one is above the law and the defendants have received a fair trial. The defendants were accused of attempting to establish unified pro-democracy candidates through the unofficial primary election to boost their chances of securing an unprecedented parliamentary majority. Prosecutors have said they intended to disrupt the government and even force Hong Kong's leader to resign by 'indiscriminately vetoing' budget proposals. Of the 16 democrats who pleaded not guilty during the trial, 11 have appealed their convictions, including Gordon Ng, Gwyneth Ho and Owen Chow, who were all jailed for over seven years. Prince Wong, who pleaded guilty, is appealing her sentence. The appeals are expected to take around 10 days, and also include a government request to overturn the acquittal of barrister Lawrence Lau. Erik Shum, a lawyer for two of the defendants, argued the democrats' actions were legal as lawmakers were free to vote against any bills and such votes 'could not possibly be an abuse of power'. A years-long crackdown under a China-imposed national security law has resulted in scores of arrests and the closures of liberal media outlets and civil society groups. – Reuters
Asahi Shimbun
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Twelve Hong Kong activists appeal convictions in landmark ‘47 democrats' case
Police officers stand guard at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building, ahead of hearing appeals from 13 jailed pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong on July 14. (REUTERS) HONG KONG--Twelve Hong Kong pro-democracy activists appealed their subversion convictions and jail terms on Monday in a national security case that has spotlighted Beijing's ongoing crackdown on dissent and drawn international criticism. The appeal stems from the '47 democrats' case, named for the number of activists who were arrested and charged with 'conspiracy to commit subversion' in early 2021. The court eventually found 45 of the defendants guilty of organising and holding an unofficial primary election in July 2020 after massive pro-democracy protests brought the city to a standstill. Prosecutors considered the action to be a 'plot' to undermine the Hong Kong government. Security was tight around the West Kowloon law courts building as scores of police officers, some with police dogs, patrolled the area and occasionally searched passers-by. 'I want to see all of them,' said an elderly man surnamed Wong who was among around 100 people queuing to get a public ticket for the hearing. 'They're not criminals.' Foreign diplomats from over half a dozen countries were in attendance for this latest stage of the legal saga that began with dawn police raids on the homes of high-profile democrats in early 2021. Some countries such as the United States have condemned the case as 'politically motivated' and are calling for the immediate release of the democrats who were sentenced last November to prison terms of up to ten years. Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, however, have defended the independence of the judiciary and say no one is above the law and the democrats have received a fair trial. Of the 16 democrats who pleaded not guilty during the trial, 11 have decided to appeal, including Gordon Ng, Gwyneth Ho and Owen Chow, who were all jailed for over seven years. Another democrat, Prince Wong, who pleaded guilty, is appealing her sentence. One defendant, Michael Pang, decided to withdraw his application on Monday. The appeals are expected to take around 10 days and will also include a government appeal against the acquittal of one of the democrats, barrister Lawrence Lau. A years-long crackdown under a China-imposed national security law has resulted in arrests, the closures of liberal media outlets and civil society groups. The last two remaining pro-democracy parties, the Democratic Party and the League of Social Democrats, disbanded this year citing growing pressures. The case is one of the most prominent so far under a 2020 national security law that was imposed by China in response to mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
HK activists appeal convictions in '47 democrats' case
Twelve Hong Kong pro-democracy activists are appealing their subversion convictions and jail terms in a national security case that's spotlighted Beijing's crackdown on dissent and drawn international criticism. The appeal stems from the "47 democrats" case, named for the number of activists who were arrested and charged with 'conspiracy to commit subversion' in 2021. The court eventually found 45 of the defendants guilty of organising and holding an unofficial primary election in July 2020 after massive pro-democracy protests brought the city to a standstill. Prosecutors considered the action to be a "plot" to undermine the Hong Kong government. Security was tight around the West Kowloon law courts building on Monday as scores of police officers, some with police dogs, patrolled the area and occasionally searched passers-by. "I want to see all of them," said an elderly man who was among around 100 people queuing to get a public ticket for the hearing. "They're not criminals." Foreign diplomats from over half a dozen countries were in attendance for this latest stage of the legal saga that began with dawn police raids on the homes of high-profile democrats in early 2021. Some countries such as the United States have condemned the case as "politically motivated" and are calling for the immediate release of the democrats who were sentenced last November to prison terms of up to ten years. Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have defended the independence of the judiciary and say no one is above the law and the democrats have received a fair trial. Of the 16 democrats who pleaded not guilty during the trial, 11 have decided to appeal, including Gordon Ng, Gwyneth Ho and Owen Chow, who were all jailed for over seven years. Another democrat, Prince Wong, who pleaded guilty, is appealing her sentence. One defendant, Michael Pang, decided to withdraw his application on Monday. The appeals are expected to take around 10 days, and will also include a government appeal against the acquittal of one of the democrats, barrister Lawrence Lau. A years-long crackdown under a China-imposed national security law has resulted in arrests, the closures of liberal media outlets and civil society groups. The last two remaining pro-democracy parties, the Democratic Party and the League of Social Democrats, disbanded this year citing growing pressures. The case is one of the most prominent so far under a 2020 national security law that was imposed by China in response to mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Departing US top official in Hong Kong criticises reach of national security law
By Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) -The top American diplomat in Hong Kong on Thursday criticised Hong Kong's use of the national security law to jail prominent campaigners for democracy, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, and engage in the "transnational repression" of activists abroad. Gregory May, the departing consul general of the United States in Hong Kong, who is coming to the end of a three-year stint in the city, spoke about recent turbulence in the U.S-China relationship and highlighted various "friction points" including Lai's case. Lai, 77, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the national security law, as well as a separate charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material. He has been held in solitary confinement for more than 1,500 days since December 2020. "President Trump himself has mentioned Jimmy Lai several times now and he's very concerned about the fate of Mr. Lai," May told reporters after a speech at a U.S. Independence Day reception. "But I just want to emphasise the U.S. government concern is not just on this one individual. There are many other people, unfortunately, in Hong Kong who are in jail for peaceful expression of political views." Lai, whose family say his health is fragile, faces a possible life sentence under a China-imposed national security law that was implemented in 2020 in response to mass pro-democracy protests the year before. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously said he would "one hundred percent" get Lai, who also has British citizenship, out of the country. May, who will be leaving to take up a position as deputy head of the U.S. mission in Beijing, also criticised attempts by Hong Kong authorities to pressure overseas Hong Kong activists including the issuing of arrest warrants for national security violations and offering bounties of HK$1 million ($127,393) each. "The other friction point in my time here has been transnational repression, and it's very disappointing to see over my three years here, attempts by Hong Kong authorities to enforce the national security law within the borders of the United States against U.S. persons," May said. These are "attempts to restrict the free speech of people in the United States and unfortunately we're seeing Hong Kong authorities go after the family members of these overseas activists and that's a very disturbing development," he added. On the broader China-U.S. relationship, May said Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping both wanted to get the bilateral relationship on "a positive track", a goal he would work towards in Beijing under the new U.S. ambassador to China David Perdue. ($1 = 7.8497 Hong Kong dollars) (Writing by James Pomfret; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Departing US top official in Hong Kong criticises reach of national security law
Outgoing US Consul-General Gregory May said US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping both wanted to get the bilateral relationship on "a positive track". PHOTO: AFP HONG KONG - The top American diplomat in Hong Kong on June 26 criticised Hong Kong's use of the national security law to jail prominent campaigners for democracy, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, and engage in the "transnational repression" of activists abroad. Mr Gregory May, the departing consul-general of the United States in Hong Kong, who is coming to the end of a three-year stint in the city, spoke about recent turbulence in the US-China relationship and highlighted various "friction points" including Lai's case. Lai, 77, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the national security law, as well as a separate charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material. He has been held in solitary confinement for more than 1,500 days since December 2020. "President Trump himself has mentioned Jimmy Lai several times now and he's very concerned about the fate of Mr Lai," Mr May told reporters after a speech at a US Independence Day reception. 'But I just want to emphasise the US government concern is not just on this one individual. There are many other people, unfortunately, in Hong Kong who are in jail for peaceful expression of political views.' Lai, whose family say his health is fragile, faces a possible life sentence under a China-imposed national security law that was implemented in 2020 in response to mass pro-democracy protests the year before. US President Donald Trump has previously said he would "one hundred per cent" get Lai, who also has British citizenship, out of the country. Mr May, who will be leaving to take up a position as deputy head of the US mission in Beijing, also criticised attempts by Hong Kong authorities to pressure overseas Hong Kong activists including the issuing of arrest warrants for national security violations and offering bounties of HK$1 million (S$162,446) each. "The other friction point in my time here has been transnational repression, and it's very disappointing to see over my three years here, attempts by Hong Kong authorities to enforce the national security law within the borders of the United States against US persons," Mr May said. These are "attempts to restrict the free speech of people in the United States and unfortunately we're seeing Hong Kong authorities go after the family members of these overseas activists and that's a very disturbing development," he added. On the broader China-US relationship, Mr May said Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping both wanted to get the bilateral relationship on "a positive track", a goal he would work towards in Beijing under the new US ambassador to China, Mr David Perdue. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
