Hong Kong Activists Convicted for Tiananmen Vigil Organizing

In a landmark ruling, a Hong Kong court has convicted two prominent pro-democracy activists, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, for inciting subversion. This decision follows their leadership roles in the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance, which organized annual vigils to honor the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

The case has drawn widespread attention, being perceived as a significant indicator of the state of free expression in the region. Both activists have been imprisoned since 2021, and their trial has spotlighted the ongoing repression of dissent in Hong Kong.

Chow, a 41-year-old Cambridge-educated lawyer, represented herself during the trial and passionately defended her actions, referencing Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo. She argued that seeking justice for Tiananmen victims is a moral obligation, asserting, "No matter how omnipotent the Communist Party's leadership may be, it cannot dictate our conscience." Chow's commitment to the cause has been evident through her hunger strikes every June to commemorate the Tiananmen anniversary.

Lee, 69, has been a stalwart of Hong Kong's labor and human rights movements since the 1970s. His harrowing experiences during the 1989 protests, where he witnessed the military's violent crackdown, have fueled his lifelong dedication to democracy. He remarked in court, "Ending one-party rule does not mean ending the Communist Party's leadership," expressing hope for reform within the party.

Both activists' convictions exemplify the tightening grip of the Chinese authorities on civil liberties in Hong Kong, raising fears about the future of activism in the city.

Source: www.france24.com