EU, conviction of 14 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong is “a further deterioration of fundamental freedoms”

Brussels – The EU is “deeply concerned” about the verdict handed down this morning (May 30) in the maxi-trial renamed “Hong Kong 47,” in which the jury selected by the government of the Special Region convicted 14 of the 16 people who had pleaded not guilty in a group of 47 pro-democracy activists accused of organizing unofficial primary elections in July 2020. The other two were acquitted.

They were found guilty of “conspiring to subvert state power” under the national security law (NSL) imposed by the Beijing government. The 10-month trial ended over 1,000 days after the initial arrests in December. The other 31 – who pleaded guilty – are still awaiting the outcome of their cases. The pre-election primaries in question, held on July 11 and 12, 2020, were not the first primaries in Hong Kong’s history but took place less than two weeks after the introduction of the law wanted by Beijing to help Hong Kong authorities crack down on what remained of the pro-democracy movement after the mass protests of 2019. According to the European Commission’s annual report on the status of the former British colony for 2021, that law made a sharp authoritarian turn, bringing Hong Kong closer to China’s policies.

The judges ruled that the Hong Kong Democratic Opposition’s plan to gain a majority in the Legislative Council — aiming to block budget bills and force the chief executive to resign if he did not accept the pro-democracy movement’s demands — violated the Basic Law of Hong Kong. According to the Court, any act that would “seriously interfere with, disrupt, or undermine the tasks and functions of the government is clearly an act that endangers Hong Kong’s national security.”

In a statement, European External Action Service (EEAS) spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said the verdict “marks a further deterioration of fundamental freedoms and democratic participation in Hong Kong..” According to the EU, the defendants were “penalized for peaceful political activity that should be legitimate in any political system that respects basic democratic principles.” Indeed, the West Kowloon court set a significant precedent by holding that a non-violent act- such as a primary election – constitutes subversion under the National Security Act.

“The case also puts into question Hong Kong’s commitment to openness and pluralism, which have been cornerstones of the city’s attractiveness as an international commercial and financial center,” the EEAS statement continues. Finally, Brussels promises “to continue to closely monitor the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.”