Hong Kong: Unionists and former journalists jailed in National Security Trial

Over 1,300 days since the formal registration of charges, 45 defendants, including two trade union leaders and two former journalists, were sentenced to multiple years in prison in the city's highest profile National Security Law trial to date. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemns this escalation of the ongoing crackdown on civil liberties since 2020 and urges the international community to continue its solidarity efforts with the city's media workers, unionists, and human rights defenders.

Police hold back the media outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court in Hong Kong on November 19, 2024. Credit: Peter Parks / AFP

On November 19, the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court concluded the city's largest National Security Trial, with 45 pro-democracy activists, unionists, and two former press workers sentenced to up to a decade in prison on conspiracy to commit subversion charges for their role in a plan to win control of Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) through democratic, legal means.

Former Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) Chair Carol Ng Man-yee was sentenced to four years and five months in prison, while the founder and chair of the now-dissolved Hospital Authorities Employees Alliance Winnie Yu was convicted and sentenced to six years and nine months in June. In a July 2024 sentencing mitigation hearing, Yu stood by her decision to attempt to achieve change through democratic means.

Following a wave of protestsin 2019 against a controversial extradition bill, pro-democracy advocates and politicians had organised a democratic primary election for July 2020 to coordinate efforts for the upcoming LegCo election. A total of 47 former lawmakers, politicians, and activists were arrestedand charged in early 2021, with the government's case against the 'Hong Kong 47' hinging on an alleged plot by prospective legislators to interfere with the council's normal operations.

Following sentencing, the 45 accused found guilty have 28 days to appeal their sentence or conviction. Recent developments to the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in March citenational security offences 'must not be granted remission' on good behaviour bonds. This reform overrules an existing decree, where offenders could have received a third reduction of their sentence with a guilty plea.

Among the 45 convicted activists were former journalist and opposition lawmakerClaudia Mo, as well as former Stand News reporter Gwyneth Ho. Mo was sentenced to four years and nine months after entering a guilty plea, while Ho was sentenced to seven years, having not entered a mitigation or guilty plea. The decision coincided with the first court appearance of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai on November 20 in an ongoing sedition case, with Lai already serving a 2022 four-year sentence on alleged lease agreement fraud charges.

The IFJ said: "The IFJ condemns the ongoing legal persecution of unionists, former journalists, and law makers for their participation in a peaceful, democratic process. These sentences are typical of the draconian repression faced by human rights defenders, including journalists, since the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020. Hong Kong authorities must overturn the sentences, abide by the city's Basic Law and respect the fundamental right to freedom of association, expression and the press."