Who is ‘Hong Kong 47’? Pro-democracy activists at center of biggest national security case

Points Hong KongProminent pro-democracy activists, collectively known as the “Hong Kong 47” He was sentenced to prison in the city’s biggest case under the national security law.

Prosecutors accused them of trying to overthrow the government under a new law China introduced three years ago. The Supreme Court on Tuesday jailed 45 of them, while two of them were acquitted earlier this year.

Critics condemned the case for political purposes, targeting those who represent political resistance Beijingincreased control over the former English Colony returned to China in 1997.

The case centered on the group’s involvement in holding unofficial primaries in 2020 to gain a pro-democracy majority in the city legislature.

Organizers defended their actions by saying they were allowed under the Basic Law, the mini-constitution that governs Hong Kong and guarantees a measure of freedom to its people.

But prosecutors claimed the plans to block government bills and force the chief executive to resign amounted to a conspiracy to commit subversion, a charge brought under the sweeping security law.

Most of the defendants pleaded guilty.

The key figures in the “Hong Kong 47” represent a cross-section of the city’s pro-democracy movement, from seasoned politicians to first-time activists inspired by the 2019 street protests.

These include: Benny Tai, legal scholar accused of organizing primaries activist Joshua Wong and veteran opposition MPs Claudia Mo, Helena Wong, Kwok Ka-ki and Leung Kwok-hung, popularly known as “Long Hair”.

Mo, a former journalist, is a well-known voice for democracy, while Leung is a fixture of the city’s political opposition.

A younger generation of activists such as Owen Chow, Ventus Lau, and Tiffany Yuen have become known for their vocal advocacy. Chow and Lau were involved in a defining moment of the 2019 protests, the BBC reported; Hundreds of people stormed the Legislative Council chamber and defaced Hong Kong’s emblem, claiming it was an act of defiance against Beijing’s tightening control.

The group also includes people who were not politically active before 2019 but were motivated to take action by that year’s protests. Social worker Hendrick Lui, entrepreneur Mike Lam and former nurse Winnie Yu are among those who have transitioned from professional roles to activism.

Two members of the “Hong Kong 47” were acquitted earlier this year. Lawyer and former district councilor Laurence Lau and another former district councilor, Lee Yue-shun, were cleared of the charges in May.

Tai received the heaviest sentence in 10 years as judges described him as the “mastermind” of a plot to undermine the authority of the city government. The law professor rose to prominence in 2014 when he founded the Occupy Central movement, which called for free and fair elections in Hong Kong. He was imprisoned in 2019 for his role in the Occupy Central protest.

Wong, 28, a prominent figure in the 2019 protests, was sentenced to more than four years in prison after pleading guilty. The court ruled that his previous convictions showed he was “not of good character”.

He was the face of the Umbrella Movement, which emerged alongside the Occupy Center protest in 2014.

Wong helped rally support for protests from abroad in 2019. His activism paid off. Beijing described him as a defender of Hong Kong’s independence who “begged for intervention” from foreign powers.

Leung, 68, known for his political demonstrations and throwing bananas as a sign of protest, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.

Gordon Ng, dual citizen Australia and Hong Kong imposed sentences of more than seven years in prison, one of the longest sentences for those who pleaded not guilty and contested the charges. He was sentenced in May this year.

Former Stand News Journalist Gwyneth Ho, who planned to run in the unofficial primaries, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading not guilty.

Former MP Mo (67), who pleaded guilty, received one of the shortest sentences of four years and two months. Judges ruled he was an “active participant” in the scheme but gave him a relatively light sentence after taking into account his community service.

The hearing, which concluded this week, attracted great public attention. Long lines formed outside the West Kowloon Magistrate’s Court as supporters braved rain and police searches to witness the hearing.

The trial has reignited concerns about Hong Kong’s declining freedoms. Critics argue that the security law has been weaponized to suppress political dissent. Western governments and human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the law, calling it a tool to erode civil liberties.

Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, said in a statement that the sentence was “an insult not only to the people of Hong Kong, but also to those who value rights and freedoms around the world”.

He condemned the “bogus” sentences and called on the British government not to let the issue go unnoticed.

The US Consulate in Hong Kong said America strongly condemned the penalties. “The defendants were aggressively prosecuted and imprisoned for their peaceful participation in normal political activities protected under the Hong Kong Basic Law,” the statement said. The statement was included.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong expressed “serious concern” about Ng’s sentence, noting that the security law was widely enforced.

But officials in Beijing and Hong Kong have argued the law is vital to restoring stability following the 2019 protests and warned against foreign “interference”.

Hong Kong security secretary Chris Tang told a news conference that the sentences showed that those who committed national security crimes should be severely punished.

Additional reporting by agencies.