EU, US Condemn Hong Kong Court Verdict Against Rights Activists

The European Union and the United States have voiced strong condemnation following a Hong Kong court's guilty verdict against prominent human rights activists Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan. The activists, who were found guilty under Beijing's national security law, face a potential maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, with their sentencing yet to be announced.

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Peaceful defense of human rights is not a crime.

Chow, recognized with a human rights award from France and Germany in 2023, and Lee were accused of "inciting subversion" for their roles in the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance. The EU stated that the peaceful defense of human rights is not a crime. In a joint statement, the EU and Germany highlighted Chow's tireless advocacy for human rights and democracy in China and Hong Kong, calling for her immediate release and urging Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to respect civil rights and freedoms.

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Chow Hang-tung tirelessly fought for human rights and democracy in China, especially in Hong Kong. We call for her immediate release and urge the authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong to respect all civil rights and freedoms.

The EU's foreign affairs spokesperson, Anitta Hipper, expressed concern that the conviction "confirms the ongoing erosion of freedom of expression and assembly and the further shrinking of the space for independent civil society in Hong Kong." She added that "politically motivated prosecutions... undermine confidence in the rule of law" in the city. The statement urged authorities to preserve space for civil society and guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as stipulated in Hong Kong's Basic Law.

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This conviction confirms the ongoing erosion of freedom of expression and assembly and the further shrinking of the space for independent civil society in Hong Kong.

The U.S. State Department also condemned the verdict, with Deputy Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Riley Barnes, calling for the activists' immediate release on social media. The convictions underscore ongoing international concerns about the state of freedoms and civil liberties in Hong Kong since the implementation of the national security law.

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Politically motivated prosecutions... undermine confidence in the rule of law in Hong Kong.