Convictions of Hong Kong Activists Show Beijing’s Contempt for Democracy, Say Human Rights Groups

A Hong Kong court has convicted 14 pro-democracy activists under the draconian National Security Law imposed by Beijing that has effectively silenced public dissent, leading Human Rights Watch to call for the verdicts of what it labels a “show trial” to be overturned. All were charged with “conspiracy to commit subversion,” and included former elected politicians, protest leaders, labour organisers, and academics, ranging in age from 26 to 68. Many have been in pretrial detention since their arrests in January 2021. Earlier, 31 other defendants had pleaded guilty, hoping for more lenient sentences. The prosecution named five defendants as “major organisers,” suggesting possible harsh sentences of up to life in prison....