All 47 democracy advocates must be released immediately

Convictions send strong message that freedom of speech will not be tolerated

‘This unprecedented mass conviction is the most ruthless illustration yet of how Hong Kong’s National Security Law is weaponised to silence dissent’ – Sarah Brooks

Responding to today’s conviction of 14 Hong Kong opposition figures accused of “conspiring to subvert state power”, Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China Director, said: 

“This unprecedented mass conviction is the most ruthless illustration yet of how Hong Kong’s National Security Law is weaponised to silence dissent. It represents a near-total purge of the political opposition and highlights the rapid disintegration of human rights in Hong Kong.

“To imprison these men and women, having already kept most of the 47 in pre-trial detention for more than three years, is a brazen injustice.

“None of those convicted have committed an internationally recognised crime - they have been targeted simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and participation in public affairs.

“These convictions also send a chilling message to anyone else in Hong Kong who opposes the actions of the government, namely: stay quiet, or face jail.

“Throughout this sham trial, the Hong Kong authorities have ignored all calls from Amnesty International and other human rights groups to drop these unjust charges.

“The onus is now on the international community to join us in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the 47 being detained. It is not a crime to peacefully oppose the government.”

Crackdown in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong’s largest prosecution under the National Security Law, which was enacted in June 2020, all 47 defendants were jointly charged with “conspiracy to commit subversion”, 31 of the 47 have already pleaded guilty to the charge before today’s hearing. Among the remaining 16 who pleaded not guilty, 14 were convicted and two were acquitted by the court today.

The charges relate to their organising and participating in self-organised “primaries” for the 2020 Legislative Council elections that were ultimately postponed by authorities on Covid grounds before the Chinese government brought in a new electoral system that strictly vetted who could stand for office. Hong Kong’s human rights situation has deteriorated dramatically since 2020, with nearly 300 people arrested for violating the National Security Law or a colonial-era “sedition” law. Recently introduced Article 23 legislation is set to further deepen repression in the city.