Hong Kong court tackles appeals of jailed democracy activists
Hong Kong’s National Security Trial Reaches a New Appeal Stage
On Monday, a court in the West Kowloon district opened a 10‑day session to hear appeals from 12 activists who were convicted for alleged subversive activity during Hong Kong’s largest national security trial of 2023.
Key Appeal Participants
- Long Hair Leung Kwok‑hung – former Legco member and popular democracy figure
- Lam Cheuk‑ting – veteran activist and former district councillor
- Helena Wong – respected community leader
- Raymond Chan – lawyer known for public‑interest cases
- Owen Chow – 28‑year‑old activist who received the harshest sentence of 7 years 9 months
Michael Pang, a former district councillor, withdrew his appeal beforehand, reducing the number of appellants to twelve.
Global Context and International Voices
Amnesty International’s China director Sarah Brooks labeled the appeals as a “pivotal test” for freedom of expression in the Chinese‑controlled city. She argued that only a reversal of the convictions could restore Hong Kong’s standing as a global hub where rights are respected and peaceful dissent is protected.
Public Sentiment on the Court Day
As the day unfolded, dozens of police officers surrounded the court building while people queued to attend the hearings.
“They made a sacrifice… I hope they understand that Hong Kongers have not forgotten them,” said a public hospital worker in his thirties, surnamed Chow.
A 66‑year‑old retiree, surnamed Chan, expressed feeling “helpless” and noted that fewer people were paying attention as the proceedings dragged on. “I don’t expect any positive outcome, but I still want to support them,” he added.
Prosecutors Challenge a Prior Acquittal
During the Monday session, prosecutors challenged the prior acquittal of lawyer Lawrence Lau, one of the two people found not guilty in May 2024. They argued that the trial court made a factual error and that Lau, who represented himself, should be tried again.
Lau responded that the findings of the lower court should not be “casually interfered with.” He emphasized that he had never advocated for the resignation of the chief executive or for the indiscriminate vetoing of the financial budget, referring to the core tenets of the alleged conspiracy.
Background: From the 47 to the 12 Appeals
Beijing introduced a sweeping national security law in 2020 following months of large‑scale pro‑democracy demonstrations, leading to the arrest of a broad cross‑section of opposition figures.
The group, commonly referred to as the “Hong Kong 47,” ranged in age from 27 to 69 and included democratically elected lawmakers, district councillors, unionists, academics, and others with a spectrum of political views. They were charged with organising or participating in an unofficial primary election aimed at improving the chances of pro‑democracy parties to win a majority in the legislature.
Authorities had accused them of a plan that could lead to a “constitutional crisis.” The activists, meanwhile, hoped to force the government to meet demands such as universal suffrage by threatening to veto the budget indiscriminately.
