On November 19, 2024, the Hong Kong court sentenced 45 out of 47 defendants in the “47-person case” involving pro-democracy activists for the crime of “conspiring to subvert state power” under the National Security Law. Taiwan’s Presidential Office stated that Taiwan will continue to support Hong Kong and called on the international democratic community to pay attention to the situation in Hong Kong.
The “Hong Kong 47-person case,” also known as the “Hong Kong pro-democracy primaries case,” involved 47 individuals accused of “conspiring to subvert state power” under the National Security Law. Out of the 45 sentenced, 14 were found guilty, 2 acquitted, and 31 pleaded guilty. The sentencing took place this morning at the West Kowloon Court in Hong Kong. Prominent figures like former associate professor Benny Tai (sentenced to 10 years), former legislators Au Nok-hin (6 years, 9 months) and Leung Kwok-hung (6 years, 9 months), and former Demosisto leader Joshua Wong (4 years, 8 months) were among those convicted.
Taiwan’s Presidential spokesperson, Guo YahuI, reiterated that democracy is not a crime and strongly condemned the Chinese Communist government for using judicial means and unfair procedures to suppress political participation and freedom of speech of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. The sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists to 4-10 years is a grave violation of Hong Kong’s pursuit of freedom and democracy, breaking promises of “50 years unchanged” and “high degree of autonomy,” further proving the impracticality of the “one country, two systems” framework.
Guo YahuI stated that Taiwan shares the common goal of freedom and democracy with the people of Hong Kong and will continue to support Hong Kong through the “Hong Kong Humanitarian Aid and Care Action Project” by providing practical assistance. Democracy and freedom are universal values, and there is a call for the international democratic community to pay attention to the situation in Hong Kong. Taiwan, as a defender of freedom, will continue to collaborate with the international community to withstand the expansion of authoritarian forces.
Hong Kong-based organization Hong Kong Border Youth released a statement today expressing outrage at the ruling of the “47-person case” under the National Security Law, emphasizing the absence of a jury trial and the predetermined outcome for the 45 convicted individuals ranging from 4 years, 2 months to 10 years. Despite the predictable result, the ongoing crackdown on civic political participation through legal means undermines Hong Kong’s once symbolized rule of law and judicial independence, now non-existent.
The participants in the “47-person case” were originally democratically elected candidates through grassroots primaries to represent the pro-democracy camp in the scheduled Legislative Council elections in September 2020. Their goal was merely to serve as legislators for the public through lawful means—what crime have they committed? According to the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, anyone deemed undesirable can be arbitrarily detained, charged, or even rearrested under different charges post-release. Even those fortunate enough to be released face continued surveillance, restricted movement, and silence.
The statement highlighted the ongoing suppression by the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government against protesters, indicating a continuation of such tactics into the foreseeable future. It called on the Taiwan government to continue supporting Hong Kong protesters, especially those eligible for Taiwan’s special asylum and potentially future exiles due to political persecution. They also urged Taiwan to promote and safeguard the basic rights of Hong Kong residents in Taiwan for a secure and free life without fear, void of the looming threats of cross-border oppression by the Chinese Communist Party.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council expressed deep concern and sympathy for the plight of the Hong Kong pro-democracy activists facing imprisonment in the largest political prosecution under the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law—referring to the 47-person case. They urged the Hong Kong government to uphold freedom and human rights, cease political repression, and release the detained individuals involved in this case.
The Mainland Affairs Council pointed out that the Hong Kong government charged 47 pro-democracy figures who took part in the 2020 Legislative Council primaries with the crime of “conspiring to subvert state power” under the Hong Kong National Security Law. This included scholars, lawyers, journalists, social workers, and district councilors, with many held in custody for up to three years without a confirmed trial outcome. The global community has repeatedly called for an end to political prosecution and the release of those detained, yet 45 out of the 47 defendants were convicted, evoking widespread sorrow and regret over the outcome, highlighting the deteriorating environment in Hong Kong.
In recent years, various international assessments and a plethora of cases have shown the decline of democracy, freedom, and human rights in Hong Kong, leading to negative impacts on Hong Kong’s international image. The Hong Kong authorities should respect and protect the citizen’s rights, freedom of expression, and judicial independence to prevent the continuous erosion of Hong Kong’s advantages and the increasing tarnishing of its international reputation.