International parliamentarians condemn today’s sentencing and imprisonment of the ‘most moderate and distinguished’ pro-democracy activists
Today, authorities in Hong Kong have sentenced nine prominent pro-democracy activists for taking part in a peaceful protest in August 2019, including the ‘father of Hong Kong’s democracy’ Martin Lee, ‘the owner of Apple Daily Jimmy Lai, and international barrister Margaret Ng.
The nine pro-democracy activists which span the generations have received jail sentences and suspended sentences, with Jimmy Lai receiving 12 months, Lee Cheuk-yan receiving 12 months, Leung Kwok-hung receiving 18 months, Au Nok-hin receiving 10 months, and Cyd Ho receiving 8 months in prison and Margaret Ng receiving 12 months suspended sentence, Martin Lee receiving 11 months suspended sentence, Albert Ho receiving 12 months suspended sentence, and Leung Yiu-chung receiving an 8 month suspended sentence for the charge of ‘unlawful assembly’. U.N. Special Rapporteurs for human rights have previously called for the Hong Kong Government to withdraw the Public Order Ordinance which allows authorities to criminalise peaceful protest describing it as an assault on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
A group of international parliamentarians led by Hong Kong Watch’s patron and the last British governor of Hong Kong, Lord Patten, have responded to the sentencing of the prominent pro-democracy activists.
Their comments follow calls from over 100 UK MPs for the sanctioning of Hong Kong officials.
U.K. Lord Patten of Barnes said:
“The CCP's comprehensive assault on the freedoms of Hong Kong and its rule of law continues relentlessly. This week, we have witnessed some of the most distinguished of the city's peaceful and moderate champions of liberty and democracy placed in Beijing's vengeful sights.
The CCP simply does not understand that you cannot bludgeon and incarcerate people into loving a totalitarian and corrupt regime. While Hong Kong's values are attacked by the Communist Party, the regime is also careful in its attempt to safeguard the use of the city as a secret means for the family and friends of Beijing's leaders to store away the proceeds of their corruption.
All those who are conniving at destroying the Hong Kong loved by the world will be remembered in shame, even as, in due course, they scurry off from HK clutching their foreign passports."
U.K. Stephen Kinnock MP (Labour’s Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific) said:
“Today is a dark day for democracy, free speech and liberty in Hong Kong, but nevertheless the nine brave individuals who have been sentenced today are an inspiration to us all.
By standing strong and united against the authoritarian bullying of the Chinese government they have set an example that democracies around the world would do well to follow.”
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (Ranking Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy) said:
“The Chinese Communist Party continues to impose its authoritarian grip on Hong Kong, and the imprisonment of pro-democracy leaders is just the latest in a long history of their repression and censorship. We call for the immediate release of Jimmy Lai, Lee Cheuk-yan, and the other activists sentenced today and stand with the people of Hong Kong in their fight for freedom and democracy. The Administration should work with our allies and partners to support the people of Hong Kong and impose meaningful sanctions on the CCP.”
U.S. Congressman Ami Bera (Chairman of House Foreign Committee Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation) said:
“I join Parliamentarians from around the world in condemning the sentencing of these important and brave Hong Kong pro-democracy activists. Today’s imprisonment continues the CCP’s full-on assault against the region’s freedom and promised high-degree of autonomy.
The United States Congress stands united in our support of freedom, democracy, and justice for the people of Hong Kong.”
U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett said:
“Imprisoning these brave men and women for ‘unlawful assembly’ exposes the sheer injustice and totalitarianism that runs rampant in the Chinese Communist Party. They aren't even trying to hide it anymore. The CCP needs to realize that the world won’t stand for these morally bankrupt actions”
Canadian Senator Leo Housakos said:
“What we see happening before our very eyes is the dismantling of freedom and democracy. This is exactly what the National Security Law was designed to do - to completely silence dissent.
Canada must not only unequivocally condemn this tyrannical and oppressive behaviour, we must also impose Magnitsky sanctions and do all that we can to provide refuge to those courageous enough to take on the communist regime of China.”
Canadian MP Jenny Kwan said:
“Today with the sentencing of veteran democracy activists such as Martin Lee, Jimmy Lai, Albert Ho, Cheuk-wan Lee, Margaret Ng, Yeung Sum, among others for standing up for the freedoms that were promised to all Hongkongers and the international community by the Chinese government, the heart of Hong Kong's “one country, two systems” has been pierced with a death nail. The sentencing of these freedom fighters marks a dark day where the "Pearl of the Orient" has lost its soul. Canada and its allies must unite and redouble every effort to support of the people of Hong Kong.
Canada must immediately act to bring in asylum measures for Hongkongers who fear political persecution. We must also work with allied countries to form a strong, unified response and demand accountability from China. The Sino-British Joint Declaration is a legally valid international treaty registered by the United Nations, which China has the obligation to uphold. Breaching the promises of the treaty cannot continue without accountability and consequences."
Canadian Senator Jim Munson said:
‘’Locking up democratic voices of freedom will never silence the thirst for a free society. The jailing of Jimmy Lai and the suspended sentence of Martin Lee who have spent their lives speaking the truth and shedding light on the face of authoritarianism is in itself criminal.’’