Twelve Hong Kong activists appeal convictions in landmark ‘47 democrats' case
The appeal stems from the '47 democrats' case, named for the number of activists who were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit subversion in 2021.
The court eventually found 45 of the defendants guilty of organising and holding an unofficial primary election in July 2020 soon after Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in response to pro-democracy protests the year before. Two defendants were acquitted.
Prosecutors considered the action to be a plot to undermine the Hong Kong government.
Security was tight around the West Kowloon law courts as scores of police officers, some with police dogs, patrolled the area and occasionally searched passers-by.
'They're not criminals,' said an elderly man surnamed Wong who was among around 100 people queuing to get a public ticket for the hearing.
Foreign diplomats from over half a dozen countries were in attendance for this latest stage of the legal saga that began with dawn police raids on the homes of high-profile democrats in early 2021.
Some rights groups and countries have condemned the case as politically motivated and called for the release of the democrats who were sentenced last November to prison terms of between four and 10 years.
'This appeal hearing is a chance for the courts to start righting the wrongs of this unprecedented mass prosecution,' said Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International's China director.
Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have defended the independence of the judiciary, saying no one is above the law and the defendants have received a fair trial.
The defendants were accused of attempting to establish unified pro-democracy candidates through the unofficial primary election to boost their chances of securing an unprecedented parliamentary majority. Prosecutors have said they intended to disrupt the government and even force Hong Kong's leader to resign by 'indiscriminately vetoing' budget proposals.
Of the 16 democrats who pleaded not guilty during the trial, 11 have appealed their convictions, including Gordon Ng, Gwyneth Ho and Owen Chow, who were all jailed for over seven years. Prince Wong, who pleaded guilty, is appealing her sentence.
The appeals are expected to take around 10 days, and also include a government request to overturn the acquittal of barrister Lawrence Lau.
Erik Shum, a lawyer for two of the defendants, argued the democrats' actions were legal as lawmakers were free to vote against any bills and such votes 'could not possibly be an abuse of power'.
A years-long crackdown under a China-imposed national security law has resulted in scores of arrests and the closures of liberal media outlets and civil society groups. – Reuters
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Climate issues and gender in focus for World Bank in aid-reliant Pacific Islands
THE PACIFIC (Reuters): The World Bank has maintained its focus on climate change and gender equality issues in the Pacific, managing director of operations Anna Bjerde said on a visit to Australia, even as its largest shareholder the United States reduces aid in those areas. After meeting Pacific Islands economic ministers in Fiji, Bjerde said countries in the region continued to worry about being exposed to the accelerating effects of climate change, and had grave concerns about food security and rising debt levels. Six Pacific Island countries are at high risk of debt distress, the bank says. The World Bank is moving a regional vice president from Washington to Singapore, and will move directors from Australia to Fiji and Papua New Guinea, to be closer to a $3.4 billion Pacific aid programme that has grown seven-fold in 10-15 years, she said in an interview on Monday. "We are committed to designing projects that really take into account the vulnerabilities of countries we work in. In this part of the world, countries are vulnerable to the impact of climate change," she said. "We haven't really changed our language around that," she added. Pacific road projects designed to be flood-resilient provide better infrastructure that can withstand the changing climate and also be counted in climate finance programmes, Bjerde said. The World Bank was focussed on boosting women's workforce participation to help lift the region's economic growth, she said, after meeting women leaders in Fiji who highlighted the need for childcare so women can work. On Monday, Bjerde also met officials from the Australian government, the largest bilateral donor to the region. Under reforms introduced last year by its president Ajay Banga, the World Bank has started to roll out region-wide programmes to have a bigger impact among Pacific countries with small populations. Eight countries have joined an arrangement that stops small island states being cut off from the international financial system, while a health programme targeting non-communicable disease will potentially reach 2 million people across the Pacific Ocean and train 16,000 health workers. A trade programme is also being designed to give access to goods faster and more cheaply, she said. Banga will attend the region's annual leaders' meeting, the Pacific Islands Forum, for the first time in September. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry and David Holmes) -- Reuters
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Amnesty urges Syria to probe Alawite women abductions
BEIRUT: Amnesty International has called on Syrian authorities to investigate the abduction of 36 Alawite women and girls, citing credible reports of kidnappings in recent months. The rights group urged accountability for perpetrators amid ongoing instability following the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. The report follows massacres in March in Syria's coastal Alawite heartland, where a monitor estimated 1,700 people, mostly Alawite civilians, were killed. A committee investigating the violence last week said it had not received reports of abductions involving women or girls. Amnesty documented eight cases of abductions in Latakia, Tartus, Homs, and Hama provinces since February. Families reported the incidents, but authorities failed to conduct effective investigations in nearly all instances. In two cases, officials reportedly blamed the victims' families. Only two of the eight abducted women and girls have returned home. 'The Alawite community, already devastated by previous massacres, has been deeply shaken by this wave of abductions. Women and girls are afraid to leave the house or walk alone,' said Amnesty International's secretary general Agnes Callamard. The rights group demanded Syrian authorities 'urgently step up efforts to prevent gender-based violence' and ensure thorough investigations. The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria also reported abductions of at least six Alawite women, with credible evidence of more cases. – AFP
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire: Anwar
Published on: Monday, July 28, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 28, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Anwar (centre) looks on as Hun Manet (left) shakes hands with Phumtham (right) after a special meeting on Monday. – fotoBERNAMA PUTRAJAYA: Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid rising tensions along their disputed border, following a special meeting held here on Monday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the agreement after chairing the special meeting between Thailand and Cambodia at the Seri Perdana Complex here. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended the meeting, which began at 3 pm. Also in attendance were United States (US) Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing. The US was a co-organiser of the meeting, while China, an observer to promote a peaceful resolution to the ongoing situation. 'Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Prime Minister Phumtham have expressed their positions and willingness for an immediate ceasefire and return to normalcy. 'As the current Chair of Asean, Malaysia stands ready to coordinate an observer team to verify and ensure its implementation. 'Malaysia will also consult with fellow Asean member states to participate in the observation effort, reflecting a regional commitment to supporting peace on the ground,' he said at a joint press conference. During the joint press conference, Anwar said Cambodia and Thailand reached a common understanding, including an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, with effect from 24:00 hours (local time) on July 28. 'This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,' he said. He added that Thailand and Cambodia will hold an informal meeting of regional commanders on July 29 at 7 am, followed by a meeting with Defence Attachés led by the Asean Chair, subject to mutual agreement. He added that Thailand and Cambodia will convene a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) on Aug 4 to be hosted by Cambodia. Anwar said Thailand and Cambodia also agreed to resume direct communications between both prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defence ministers. He added that the foreign ministers and defence ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand have been instructed to develop a detailed mechanism for the implementation, verification, and reporting of the ceasefire. 'This mechanism will serve as a foundation for sustained peace and accountability,' he said. Anwar said the meeting reaffirms the shared resolve of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand to uphold the principles of international law, peaceful co-existence, and multilateral cooperation in the pursuit of a just and lasting resolution to the situation. He said US President Donald J. Trump has been in contact with the leaders of both countries, urging the leaders to find a peaceful solution to the situation. He added that the Chinese side had kept close contact with Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and relevant countries to actively promote dialogue, ceasefire, and restoring peace. 'The presence and collaboration of all parties underscore a shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and regional stability,' he said. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long history of diplomatic rows over an 817-kilometre undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been simmering since May 28 following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear border area, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier. The latest round of hostilities erupted on July 24. Armed clashes have been reported along Cambodia's northern border region, with fatalities on both sides. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
