Hong Kong’s top court overturned the convictions of three former organizers of an annual Tiananmen Square vigil for refusing to provide information to police, marking a rare victory for pro-democracy activists. The trio, members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, had served 4 1/2 months in prison during Beijing’s crackdown. The alliance disbanded in 2021 under China’s national security law, prompting accusations of shrinking civil liberties in the city. The judges ruled in favor of the trio, stating that the prosecution failed to prove the alliance was a foreign agent. Critics fear the erosion of freedoms under Chinese rule, despite promises of autonomy after the 1997 handover. The annual vigil at Victoria Park was banned in 2020 and replaced with a pro-Beijing carnival following Covid-19 restrictions.
Separately, jailed pro-democracy activist Tam Tak-chi’s appeal against sedition convictions under a colonial-era law was dismissed. Tam, the first person tried under the sedition law since 1997, was found guilty of multiple charges including “uttering seditious words.” The colonial-era law was repealed in favor of a new security law introduced by the government for stability. Critics worry about further restrictions on freedoms. Hong Kong’s judicial independence has been questioned as non-permanent overseas judges have quit the top court, but Chief Justice Andrew Cheung maintains that the judiciary remains independent. Three other former alliance leaders, charged with subversion under the security law, are awaiting trial.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
