Hong Kong activists face prison terms up to seven years over Tiananmen vigils

Three prominent Hong Kong activists responsible for organizing annual commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown have received prison sentences ranging from five to over seven years. The ruling underscores the continued enforcement of the city’s national security law against historical remembrance.

Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, were convicted last month of inciting subversion of state power, a charge stemming from their coordination of the vigils. Albert Ho, 74, entered a guilty plea in January. On Friday, the court sentenced Lee to seven years and Chow to seven years and three months. Ho received a five-year term due to his cooperation.

The defendants are associated with the Hong Kong Alliance, a pro-democracy group established in May 1989 to advocate for student demonstrators. For decades, the organization held yearly candlelight vigils in Victoria Park, drawing crowds estimated by organizers at over 100,000. However, authorities suspended these gatherings in 2020, initially citing pandemic restrictions, and they have not resumed since the formal introduction of the national security law that same year.

Prosecutors argued that the group’s slogan calling for the “ending of one-party dictatorship” constituted an incitement to undermine the Chinese Communist Party. During the trial, Chow asserted that the legitimacy of the security law itself was under examination.

Reaction to the verdicts was immediate. Lee’s wife, Elizabeth Tang, described the outcome as a “sad day” and confirmed her husband intends to appeal the sentence. Chow’s mother, Medina, urged supporters outside the courthouse not to lose heart or feel guilty. Prior to her 2022 arrest, Chow had publicly stated she was prepared to face imprisonment for her commitment to democracy.

International human rights organizations condemned the sentences. Sarah Brooks of Amnesty International characterized the ruling as a “triple tragedy” for the activists, the victims of the 1989 crackdown, and future generations denied the ability to discuss the event. Human Rights Watch similarly criticized the harsh penalties as evidence of a government fearful of historical memory.

The Hong Kong Alliance was also ordered to pay a fine of HK$1.5m (£142,000). The group has since disbanded. While authorities maintain the security law is essential for stability, critics argue it has significantly eroded Hong Kong’s autonomy and created an environment of intimidation for dissenting voices.