Name: 12 Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists Appeal Convictions
Uploaded: 2025-07-14T15:44:10.000Z
Description: Twelve Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have appealed their subversion convictions and prison sentences in a national security case.

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Twelve Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have appealed their subversion convictions and prison sentences in a national security case.

This marks a continuation of the high-profile Hong Kong 47 case. The 47 individuals, including some of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy activists, were arrested and charged in 2021 under China’s controversial National Security Law with conspiracy to commit subversion.

The charges stemmed from their organization of an unofficial primary election in 2020 to select opposition candidates for local elections. In 2024, a Hong Kong court sentenced 45 of the defendants to prison terms ranging from four to ten years, while two were acquitted earlier.

Three Court of Appeal judges—Jeremy Poon, Anthea Pang, and Derek Pang—will preside over the appeal proceedings, which are scheduled to last 10 working days.

The judges will hear appeals against the convictions and sentences of 12 defendants, including former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung, known as “Long Hair,” and journalist-turned-activist Gwyneth Ho. The proceedings also include a government request to overturn the acquittal of barrister Lawrence Lau.

This case has underscored Beijing’s continued suppression of dissent, prompting strong international backlash. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and various human rights organizations have denounced the case as driven by political motives and have demanded the release of the pro-democracy activists.

Amnesty International UK said that, based on their research, over 80 percent of individuals convicted under the National Security Law have been unjustly criminalized and should never have been charged.

Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China director, <a href="https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/hong-kong-appeal-hearing-hk-47-case-pivotal-test-citys-future-freedom-expression">said</a> this case is “one of the most shocking examples of the crackdown on human rights in the city.”

She believes the appeal is “a pivotal test,” adding that Hong Kong’s courts must reverse these convictions to restore the city’s international reputation as a place that upholds rights and allows individuals to express their views peacefully without fear of arrest.

The United States has also strongly condemned the sentences of the 45 activists. “In response, the Department of State is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials for implementation of the [National Security Law],” the State Department <a href="https://2021-2025.state.gov/unjust-sentencing-under-hong-kongs-national-security-law/">said</a> in November 2024.

In March, the United States imposed <a href="https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/u-s-sanctions-six-individuals-for-undermining-hong-kongs-autonomy/">sanctions</a> on six Hong Kong officials for undermining the city’s autonomy and enforcing the National Security Law, in violation of China’s commitments under the Basic Law.

Since 2020, human rights in Hong Kong have significantly worsened, with Amnesty International reporting over 250 arrests under the National Security Law. In 2024, Hong Kong’s parliament passed additional national security legislation, known as the Article 23 law, further intensifying repression and stifling opposition voices in the city.

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