Mass punishment of opposition figures part of ongoing ‘purge’

The region’s ‘brutal purge’ of dissidents continues with largest-ever investigation under the repressive National Security Law

Punishing people for participating in self-organized election ‘primaries’ is contrary to international human rights standards

‘No one convicted in this politically motivated case should spend a day in jail’ – Sarah Brooks

Amnesty International has strongly criticized the mass punishment of 45 dissident figures by Hong Kong authorities in the largest ever investigation under the territory’s repressive National Security Law.

Earlier today, long prison sentences were given to 45 people jointly accused of “subversive conspiracy”. Of the 47 people originally charged, 31 pleaded guilty to the charge, while 16 pleaded not guilty and two were acquitted.

Charges related to their organizing for the 2020 Legislative Council elections and participation in self-organized “primaries” were postponed by authorities on Covid-19 grounds before the Chinese government introduced a new electoral system that tightly controls who can run for office. .

At the time, the city’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, said the “primaries” were illegal and warned they could violate the National Security Law, which took effect only a few weeks ago.

Treating self-organized “primaries” conducted by political parties to select candidates for elections as a genuine threat to the existence, territorial integrity or political independence of Hong Kong does not meet the high threshold of “national security” recourse required by international human rights standards. .

Hong Kong’s human rights situation has worsened dramatically since 2020. about 300 people He was arrested for violating the National Security Act, or colonial-era “sedition” law. The Article 23 law, which came into effect at the beginning of this year, further deepened the repression and silenced dissenting voices in the city.

Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International China Director, said:

“No one convicted in this politically motivated case should spend even a day in prison, let alone face the lengthy sentences imposed today.

“Months ago we called these convictions a ‘brutal purge’ of the opposition, and today this has been confirmed.

“These sentences, despite motions for mitigation and respect for due process, are clearly aimed at punishing opponents of the Hong Kong government and intimidating others who might dare to follow them.

“These harsh sentences highlight the dire state of Hong Kong’s justice system.

“None of the 45 people punished committed an internationally recognized crime; They were imprisoned simply for exercising their human rights. “We call once again for their immediate and unconditional release.”