On February 23, a Hong Kong court ruled against the appeals of 12 pro-democracy activists convicted for violating the National Security Law in connection with a preliminary election held for the Legislative Council in July 2020. The activists were accused of plotting to subvert the government by narrowing down candidates to secure a majority in the Legislative Council and ultimately pressure the Chief Executive to resign, effectively paralyzing the government. This campaign led to the indictment of 47 individuals under the charge of conspiracy to subvert state power, with 45 of them having received sentences ranging from 4 years and 2 months to 10 years in prison in November 2024.

The case exemplifies the ongoing crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong following the implementation of the National Security Law, which has been criticized internationally for undermining the autonomy of the region and stifling democratic movements. Pro-democracy figures have raised concerns that the legal actions taken against them serve as a deterrent to political activism and free expression in the city. The severe sentences handed to the activists highlight the significant risks associated with opposing the government in the current political climate.

The implications of this ruling extend beyond the individual cases, as it sends a chilling message to both the local populace and the international community regarding the status of civil rights in Hong Kong. Observers fear that such judicial decisions will further erode the already diminished freedoms in Hong Kong and reinforce the portrayal of the region as a controlled state under the central government in Beijing. As the situation develops, global reactions are likely to focus on the increasing tensions between Hong Kong’s pro-democracy advocates and the Chinese government’s efforts to quash dissent.