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HK 47: As Hong Kong jails dozens of activists, the controversial national security law explained

Benny Tai and Joshua Wong were among those arrested involved in a plan to pick opposition candidates for local elections

By The Week News Desk Updated: November 19, 2024 17:24 IST
Elsa, the foster mother of one of the defendants, social worker Hendrick Lui, holds a banner reading "The righteous shall live; the wicked shall perish" outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building after the sentencing of 45 convicted pro-democracy activists charged under the national security law, in Hong Kong, China | Reuters

Hong Kong's High Court on Tuesday sentenced 45 leading democrats to a jail term of up to 10 years. Under a Beijing-imposed security law, 47 pro-democracy activists were arrested and charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion. 

Benny Tai and Joshua Wong were among those arrested involved in a plan to pick opposition candidates for local elections. 

After the city witnessed its major pro-democracy protests in 2019, China imposed the controversial National Security Law (NSL) on Hong Kong. 

What's Hong Kong's NSL? 

The NSL in Hong Kong criminalises anything considered as secession, which is breaking away from China. Subversion, which is undermining the power or authority of the central government, terrorism--which is using violence or intimidation against people and collusion with foreign or external forces are considered the main crimes. 

Other notable provisions under NSL: 

Hong Kong can send cases some cases to be tried in mainland China. 

Some trials will be heard behind closed doors

People suspected of breaking the law can be wire-tapped and put under surveillance

It's not any Hong Kong judicial or policy body, Beijing has the power over how the law should be interpreted 

The law will also apply to non-permanent residents and people "from outside Hong Kong...who are not permanent residents". 

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The former chair of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, Emily Lau, told BBC that the fear of being arrested under the NSL is so great that "recently, we could not even organise a dinner party for members and friends."

The United States had termed the arrests as "politically motivated", while Australia said it had "strong objections" to the use of the NSL. 

Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry said that no one can engage in illegal activities in the name of democracy and attempt to escape justice. 

Even after pleading guilty, Wong was not given further reductions as judges "did not consider him to be a person of good character."

The aim of the 2019 protests was to increase the opposition's chances of blocking the pro-Beijing government's bills. 

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