Hong Kong’s High Court sentenced 45 prominent pro-democracy figures on Tuesday to prison terms of up to 10 years, a decision critics argue marks a significant erosion of the rule of law in the city.
Republican Chris Smith, Chair of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China
“The Hong Kong government is courting U.S. investments even as it silences free speech and imprisons pro-democracy activists. The Chinese Communist Party is asking American financial institutions to fund its repression in Hong Kong. Instead of encouraging investment, the Biden Administration should impose sanctions on the judges, police, and prosecutors involved in these political prosecutions of the Hong Kong 47 and Jimmy Lai.”
“The Australian Government is deeply concerned about the sentencing of Australian citizen Gordon Ng and others from the NSL47 group. Australia has strongly objected to the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities over the extensive application of the national security law, including its impact on Australian citizens. We call on China to end its suppression of freedoms of expression, assembly, media, and civil society, and to repeal the National Security Law in line with recommendations from international human rights bodies.”
“IPAC condemns these convictions as a blatant miscarriage of justice. These 45 individuals are victims of political persecution for organizing a democratic primary election. This underscores the rapid decline of the rule of law in Hong Kong. No legitimate judicial system would impose such excessive sentences on people whose only ‘crime’ was advocating for democratic participation.”
We should actively engage by expressing our thoughts, sharing perspectives, raising questions, or offering suggestions in response to the outcome of this case. This is a collective responsibility, as these cases extend beyond legal implications—they have the potential to affect everyone as members of society.
“We have entered an era in Hong Kong where open civic debate, public discourse, and the natural tensions between civil society and governments are no longer tolerated. Opposition is now equated with dissent.”
“The democratic movement in Hong Kong has effectively been dismantled. This doesn’t mean that people in Hong Kong have abandoned their aspirations for democracy or that there aren’t individuals willing to fight for it. However, as an organized effort, it has been brought to a halt. The inclusion of such a broad range of individuals in the group of 47 shows that even those who are known to be extremely moderate are not immune from being targeted.”
“The sentencing decisions in this case are significant not only for the defendants but also for anyone considering participating in Hong Kong’s civil society. These rulings establish a clear benchmark for the potential penalties individuals may face for activities deemed unwelcome under the national security law.”
Ultimately, I believe the way this case has been handled—marked by mass arrests, strict bail conditions, and the prolonged detention of some defendants for over 3.5 years—has already undermined Hongkongers’ faith in the courts and the rule of law.
