The European Union has expressed its concern over the sentence handed down this Friday by the Hong Kong judiciary against two pro-democracy activists, former leaders of the annual vigil in memory of the victims of the Tiananmen massacre, considering that it confirms "the ongoing deterioration" of freedoms of expression and assembly, as well as "the increasing reduction" of the operating space of independent civil society in the territory.
In an official note, the European External Action Service (EEAS) has criticized the conviction of Lee Cheuk Yan and Chow Hang Tung under the National Security Law, as it is a procedure "motivated by political reasons," which would have meant for both activists "subjected to prolonged pre-trial detention" and the systematic denial of granting them bail.
The EEAS recalls that Chow Hang Tung has also gone through several periods of isolation and that there is a third accused, former legislator Albert Ho, who pleaded guilty in January. In the opinion of the European body, this process "undermines confidence in the rule of law enshrined in the Basic Law of Hong Kong," considered a "cornerstone of the historical success of the city as an international business center."
"The EU urges the authorities to maintain space for an independent civil society, guarantee freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, as guaranteed by the Basic Law," emphasizes the statement, which also reiterates its demand to respect the "high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong" provided for in the principle of 'One country, two systems.'
Conviction for inciting subversion
According to the Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK, the judges overseeing the case have concluded that there is evidence to consider Lee Cheuk Yan and Chow Hang Tung, along with the organization they led, guilty of the crimes attributed to them, despite both having defended their innocence at all times.
The magistrates have insisted that the accused called for an end to "the dictatorship of a single party" and maintain that, with their actions, they intended to question the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China." Although the final sentence has not yet been made public, the national security legislation provides for penalties of up to ten years in prison.
For years, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China was responsible for organizing the annual candlelight vigil in memory of the victims of the violent repression of the Tiananmen protests in the Chinese capital, the only public commemoration of these events throughout the territory of the country.