Two former organizers of the annual vigil in Hong Kong commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown have been found guilty in a national security case related to a China-imposed law that has significantly impacted the city’s pro-democracy movement. Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, previous leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, were convicted in 2021 for inciting subversion under the national security law. Both individuals had pleaded not guilty and face a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years, with the alliance also being held accountable.
The court determined that the alliance’s advocacy to “end one-party dictatorship” was not merely a call for the ruling Communist Party to return to a system of multiparty cooperation under the constitution, but rather aimed to undermine its leadership status under the constitution. The judges highlighted that the term “end” in the statement implied “overthrowing” and “undermining,” thus constituting a violation of the constitution which designates the party’s leadership as a fundamental aspect of socialism with Chinese characteristics, falling under “other unlawful means” as per the security law.
This verdict is part of a series of legal actions targeting Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, which has faced significant suppression by both Hong Kong and Chinese authorities. The annual candlelight vigil organized by the alliance, which previously attracted tens of thousands of participants to mourn the Tiananmen Square victims, was prohibited in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent imposition of the security law.
Lee and Chow, after their conviction, acknowledged the public gallery with smiles and waves as they exited the courtroom. They are set to receive sentencing at a later stage and are anticipated to appeal for reduced penalties. Observers view this trial as emblematic of the diminishing freedom of expression in Hong Kong since its handover to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
The charges of inciting subversion are commonly utilized in mainland China to target human rights advocates and intellectuals, as noted by Eric Lai, a senior fellow with the Georgetown Center for Asian Law. The trial proceedings emphasized the alliance’s alleged call to incite others to overthrow the Communist Party’s leadership through unlawful means, contrasting with the defendants’ claims that their objective was to advocate for democratic principles and accountability within the government.
As the legal process unfolds, supporters of Lee and Chow express skepticism regarding the allegations and highlight the broader implications for Hong Kong’s legal framework. The 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown remains a contentious issue, with the subsequent security law and political changes reshaping the landscape of civil society in Hong Kong.
Ultimately, the conviction of these former vigil organizers underscores the ongoing challenges faced by pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong amidst a backdrop of tightening restrictions and legal repercussions.
