On Friday, November 6, a coalition of ten countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, issued a united statement condemning the sentencing of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong. They criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for using its so-called National Security Law to unjustly prosecute individuals in Hong Kong.
The condemnation follows a ruling by the High Court of Hong Kong on Thursday, November 5, where Wong, the former secretary general of the now-disbanded political group Demosisto, was sentenced to ten years in prison for “colluding with foreign or external forces to endanger national security,” as defined under the National Security Law.
Since 2020, Joshua Wong’s life has been profoundly affected by these legal challenges, as he has been imprisoned due to his pro-democracy activities.
In a joint statement released on Friday, the countries—Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and New Zealand also signed on—expressed their deep concern: “Joshua Wong has been sentenced to ten years in prison under yet another charge stemming from the National Security Law. Just months ago, leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China also faced convictions under the same legislation. These instances further illustrate that the National Security Law is being wielded against individuals engaged in political expression and participation.”
The statement called for the immediate cessation of unjust prosecutions against all individuals charged under the National Security Law. It urged the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to uphold their international commitments and respect the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong by the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984.
The introduction of the National Security Law in 2020 marked a significant turning point for Hong Kong, leading to widespread allegations of human rights violations.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the ruling, stating, “The United States strongly condemns the decision by the Hong Kong court to sentence Joshua Wong again for exercising his freedom of speech. He has consistently defended the rights that were promised to the people of Hong Kong through peaceful means.”
He further urged for Wong’s immediate release, along with all those unjustly detained under similar circumstances.
In response to the criticism from British lawmakers regarding the Hong Kong judgments, the Chinese Embassy in the UK reiterated its stance on non-interference, demanding that foreign nations respect what it refers to as China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
This ongoing crisis in Hong Kong highlights the fraught relationship between the territory’s aspirations for democracy and the CCP’s stringent controls, shedding light on broader global concerns regarding human rights and freedom of expression in the region.