Two former organizers of Hong Kong’s annual vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown were found guilty in a national security case on Friday. Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, former 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 imposed by China, which effectively suppressed the city’s pro-democracy movement. Both had denied the charges and could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, along with the alliance.
The judges concluded that the alliance’s advocacy to “end one-party dictatorship” was not a call for the ruling Communist Party to return to a multiparty system as per the constitution. Instead, it was interpreted as aiming to eliminate the party’s leadership position under the constitution, with the term “end” implying “overthrowing” and “undermining.” The judges also noted that the defendants continued with this call despite it being against the constitution, as the constitution recognizes the party’s leadership as a fundamental aspect of socialism with Chinese characteristics, thus falling under “other unlawful means” according to the security law.
The conviction of Lee and Chow is part of the broader crackdown on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement by local and Chinese authorities. The alliance’s candlelight vigil, held for three decades, attracted tens of thousands annually to mourn the Tiananmen Square victims in China. However, the event was banned in 2020 due to the pandemic and was later prohibited following the imposition of the security law in response to the 2019 anti-government protests.
Lee and Chow, who are expected to be sentenced later, smiled and waved at the public gallery in the courtroom. The trial is seen as a sign of diminishing freedom of expression in Hong Kong since its handover to China in 1997. The judges have not yet provided the detailed reasons for the conviction, stating that the full judgment will be released online at a later time.
The case has raised concerns among observers about the erosion of civil liberties in the territory. The charge of inciting subversion, commonly used in mainland China against human rights activists, was applied in this case, highlighting the alignment of Hong Kong’s judicial system with mainland practices. Lee and Chow were accused of inciting the overthrow of the ruling party in China, although they argued that their intention was to promote democracy and not to target the party’s leadership specifically.
Chow, who represented herself, defended the call to “end one-party rule” as a means to limit unlimited power and criticized the distortion of right and wrong in the case. The trial, which was expected to last 75 days, concluded earlier than anticipated, with Albert Ho, another defendant who pleaded guilty, potentially facing a reduced sentence. Lee, Chow, and Ho are set to appeal for leniency in a subsequent hearing.
Following the verdict, Lee’s wife expressed disappointment and maintained his innocence, indicating a possible appeal. Supporters gathered outside the court during the trial, reflecting public interest and concern over the implications of the case. The conviction of the vigil organizers has stirred debate among residents, with some questioning the interpretation of the city’s laws and the impact on freedom of expression.
The crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, including the dissolution of civil society groups like the alliance, has been a significant development since the enactment of the security law. The authorities in Beijing defended the law as essential for maintaining stability in the city, with several prominent activists, including media mogul Jimmy Lai, being imprisoned under its provisions. The changes have reshaped the political landscape in Hong Kong, leading to the suppression of dissenting voices and the dismantling of democratic movements.
