Hong Kong pro-democracy groups and human rights organizations have condemned the jailing of three prominent activists for their role in anti-China protests in the semi-autonomous territory, as Beijing continues its crackdown on political dissidents.
Pro-democracy leaders Joshua Wong, 24; Agnes Chow, 23; and Ivan Lam, 26, were jailed Wednesday for between 7 and 13.5 months for their roles in anti-government rallies over the past year.
These are the most significant sentences for pro-democracy leaders since protests erupted last summer against China’s political and legal encroachment into Hong Kong.
All three pleaded guilty to charges. Around 100 supporters gathered outside the court ahead of the sentencing, as did a smaller number of pro-Beijing demonstrators calling for harsh sentences.
Pro-democracy groups and human rights organizations were quick to condemn the sentences, which they characterized as the Chinese Communist Party’s latest effort to crush legitimate political opposition and destroy the “one country, two systems” arrangement that has afforded Hong Kong more freedom that the mainland since it transitioned from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
In a statement sent to Newsweek, Samuel Chu—the managing director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council—said: “Beijing and Carrie Lam are using the court to make an example [of the protest leaders and send the message]: ‘Obey or spend the best part of your youth behind bars.'”
“The CCP is ready and willing to maintain control and power at all costs, even if it means imprisoning and wiping out a whole generation of Hong Kongers,” Chu said. “I am heartbroken and indignant at the treatment and immediate future of the trio—and thousands of activists like them.”
“But as Wong wrote this week from jail—’Cages cannot lock up souls’ and the movement only grows stronger every time an activist is arrested, convicted, and jailed. HKDC condemns the harsh sentences and urges the United States and the international community to do the same.”
Source : Newsweek
