LLHK Statement on the Sentencing of Joshua Wong
- Date
- 6 November 2026
Statement by Lady Liberty Hong Kong on the sentencing of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to ten years' imprisonment under the National Security Law.
Lady Liberty Hong Kong (LLHK) strongly condemns the sentencing of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to ten years in prison under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law (NSL). We demand his immediate and unconditional release and reiterate our call for the complete repeal of the NSL.
On 5 November, the Hong Kong High Court sentenced Wong to ten years' imprisonment for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. The court classified his offence as being "of a grave nature," triggering a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, despite explicitly acknowledging that his actions involved no violence.
The conduct cited in the sentencing decision consisted predominantly of political advocacy, media interviews, public statements, and appeals for international sanctions in response to the erosion of Hong Kong's freedoms. These are forms of peaceful political participation and international human rights advocacy that should not be met with criminal punishment.
Of particular concern is the court's reliance on Wong's political activities before the NSL came into force, as well as its attribution of foreign sanctions to his advocacy without clearly demonstrating a direct causal connection. The judgment illustrates how broadly framed national security offences can be used to criminalise political dissent and impose disproportionately severe punishment.
Wong has already spent nearly six years behind bars. Originally expected to be released in January 2027, he now faces imprisonment until approximately November 2036. Having just turned 30, he may spend almost his entire thirties in prison for his commitment to Hong Kong's democratic future.
No one should lose a decade of their life for peacefully advocating democracy, human rights, and international accountability.
Wong's case is not an isolated injustice. It reflects a broader system of political repression in which national security legislation has been used to dismantle civil society, silence dissent, and suppress fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.
Lady Liberty Hong Kong therefore calls for:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Joshua Wong and all others imprisoned for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.
- The complete repeal of the Hong Kong National Security Law, together with the removal of other legislation used to criminalise peaceful political expression and civic participation.
- Sustained international scrutiny and accountability, including continued action by democratic governments, international institutions, and civil society to defend the rights and freedoms of Hongkongers.
Love, Solidarity, and Our Shared Community
Even after years of imprisonment, Wong has continued to speak of love rather than hatred. In his letter of mitigation, he reaffirmed that his political participation had never been motivated by hatred towards the Chinese or Hong Kong governments. Recalling an encounter with a national security officer who described them as enemies, Wong responded:
"You are not my enemy. We are all Hongkongers; there is no enmity between us."
In correspondence from prison, Wong has also reflected on the meaning of love in the face of fear: love between companions, love for a community, and love for a place we call home.
These words remind us that the struggle for freedom and democracy is not merely a struggle against repression. It is also a commitment to one another, to our shared humanity, and to the community we hope to preserve.
We encourage Hongkongers, wherever they may be, to write to Joshua Wong, send him messages of encouragement, and remind him that he has not been forgotten and is not alone. No prison wall should sever the bonds between a person and the community he loves. Alternatively, you can leave him a message on this online message board: freejoshuawong.uk.
We also urge our community to extend that same care to other political prisoners, their families, and one another. Years of repression, imprisonment, and exile have separated friends, divided families, and left many feeling isolated. In these difficult times, solidarity must be more than a political slogan. It must be expressed through compassion, mutual support, and the simple act of reaching out to those who may be struggling in silence.
We must not allow fear, exhaustion, or differences of opinion to erode the trust and affection that hold our community together.
Our solidarity is rooted not in hatred of others, but in love for our people, our freedoms, and our shared home.
Lady Liberty Hong Kong stands with Joshua Wong, his family, and all those who continue to bear the human cost of political repression.
We will continue to demand their freedom, defend the rights of Hongkongers, and preserve the bonds of community that no authoritarian power should be allowed to destroy.
Lady Liberty Hong Kong (LLHK)