Statement Condemning Hong Kong Court's Conviction of 14 Pro-Democracy Activists
- Date
- 30 May 2024
For Immediate Release — May 30th, 2024
Lady Liberty Hong Kong strongly condemns the recent conviction of 14 pro-democracy activists by a Hong Kong court. These individuals were exercising their legitimate rights, protected under the Hong Kong Basic Law, by participating in an unofficial primary election. This verdict is a glaring example of the ongoing erosion of Hong Kong's legal and democratic institutions.
The Hong Kong court has been weaponised by Beijing to arbitrarily imprison opposition figures and activists. This trial, conducted under the guise of the National Security Law (NSL), exemplifies the misuse of judicial power to crush dissent and silence advocates for democracy and human rights.
The charges of "conspiracy to subvert state power" against these activists are baseless and politically motivated. Their actions were part of the democratic process — not an attempt to undermine it. By criminalising peaceful political participation, Beijing and its handpicked Hong Kong court display utter contempt for democratic values and the rule of law.
We stand in unwavering solidarity with the convicted activists and all those who continue to fight for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong. We call upon the international community to denounce these unjust convictions and to support the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Beijing promised Hong Kong universal suffrage and a high degree of autonomy under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. It has consistently reneged on those promises, systematically erasing fundamental human rights guaranteed by Hong Kong's laws and its functional constitution.
Appeal to the International Judicial Community: We urgently appeal to the international judicial community to delegitimise the Hong Kong court. The recent verdict starkly demonstrates that judges are acting under significant influence from Beijing. The global legal community must acknowledge the compromised nature of Hong Kong's judiciary and take a stand against politically motivated convictions.
Lady Liberty Hong Kong calls on governments around the world to hold Beijing accountable and to continue advocating for the rights and freedoms of Hongkongers. Democracy is not a crime, and we will not be silenced.
Lady Liberty Hong Kong (LLHK) is a non-profit organisation committed to advocating for human rights and democracy through the transformative power of art and media. Founded in Hong Kong in 2019 and now headquartered in Tokyo, LLHK leverages artistic expression and strategic media engagement to spotlight issues of freedom, democracy, and human rights in Hong Kong and across East Asia.
Media enquiries: contact@ladylibertyhongkong.com