The Justice of Hong Kong has declared this Friday guilty two prominent pro-democracy activists, former leaders of the organization of the annual vigil in memory of the victims of the Tiananmen massacre of 1989, for activities considered as incitement to subversion carried out between 2020 and 2021.
According to the Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK, the court has concluded that both Lee Cheuk Yan and Chow Hang Tung, along with the organization they led, are responsible for the crimes attributed to them, despite both having insisted at all times on their innocence.
However, the judges have emphasized that the two defendants called for the end of "the dictatorship of a single party" and have argued that their actions aimed to question the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China. Although the final sentence has not yet been made public, national security legislation provides for possible sentences of up to ten years in prison.
For decades, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China was responsible for calling the candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the violent repression of the Tiananmen protests in Beijing, considered the only public ceremony of its kind throughout Chinese territory.
This commemorative act ceased to be held after the entry into force, in 2020, of the national security law, passed in response to the massive pro-democracy protests recorded in Hong Kong.
Germany and France condemn the judicial decision
In a joint statement, the Governments of Germany and France have expressed their regret for the ruling against the two activists and have highlighted the career of Chow, a lawyer specialized in the defense of Human Rights and a recognized activist.
"She worked tirelessly to promote Human Rights and democracy in China, particularly in the special administrative region of Hong Kong. The peaceful defense of Human Rights does not constitute a crime," they have stated, also demanding the "immediate release" of all those affected and the "respect for all civil rights and freedoms."
The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also condemned the judicial decision and has stated in a statement that the case illustrates "how public demonstrations in commemoration of these victims have become a crime in Hong Kong."
Elaine Pearson, director for Asia of the organization, has recalled that "for decades, tens of thousands of Hongkongers defended those who lost their lives protesting for freedom in China." "Now, governments around the world must defend Hongkongers who are being punished for holding Beijing accountable for the elimination of freedoms in Hong Kong," she stated.