The Decline of Democracy in Hong Kong

Decline of Democracy in Hong Kong

Fourteen democracy activists in Hong Kong have been convicted on charges of subversion, but Beijing dismisses this criticism as sufficient intervention.

The conspiracy verdict by a Hong Kong court against 14 democracy activists, who are now facing three years to life imprisonment, marks the end of the democratic and liberal aspirations of this city.

This main ruling is related to the primary judicial case in suppressing dissent since Beijing passed its first national security law four years ago. Over the past year, Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China since 1979 after a century and a half of British control, has witnessed massive street protests demanding more autonomy from Beijing in the name of democracy.

Joshua Wong, one of the prominent activists of the protest movement at the time of the enactment of this law, said this is the end of the Hong Kong that the world has known so far, which was June 30, 2020. In fact, the law anticipated complete control by the Communist Party of China over the fragrant harbor and allowed China to operate in this territory without interference.

Since then, hundreds of activists have been arrested or fled the country, independent media have been shut down, and the fundamental principle of a country with a dual system, which guaranteed former British colony residents more civil liberties and broader freedom of speech than the rest of China, has gradually eroded since 1979.

Group of 47

Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong argue that the national security law is necessary to maintain stability. There are four main crimes that can be punished with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment: secession for those who support Hong Kong’s separation from China, subversion for those attempting to undermine the central government’s authority, terrorism for those resorting to violence or intimidation, and collusion with foreign forces.

In total, 47 defendants are involved in the vandalism case. In addition to the 14 convicted yesterday, two others were acquitted. However, the Ministry of Justice has filed for a reconsideration, so until a decision is made on the reconsideration request, they will remain conditionally released. The sentences for 31 others who had confessed in hopes of receiving lighter penalties will be announced on a later date.

All 47 defendants are charged with attempting to overthrow the Hong Kong government through organizing unofficial preliminary elections.

Prominent figures from the opposition movement, former parliamentarians, journalists, and academics are among them. They come from various generations and a wide political spectrum, ranging from moderates to those who support self-determination in Hong Kong. Like all national security cases so far, this trial was held without a jury, presided over by a panel of three judges from the High Court appointed by John Lee, the leader of the city council.

A small China

The case of 48 individuals from an unofficial preliminary election held by pro-democracy opposition in July 2020 for the Legislative Council of the island has begun. The goal was to limit the best options for candidates and strive for a majority in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.

However, authorities reacted and claimed that the preliminary elections were a diabolical conspiracy aimed at paralyzing the government and weakening state power.

After the elections, which the defendants hoped to win, were postponed to 2021 due to health concerns related to COVID, during this delay, Beijing and Hong Kong authorities rewrote electoral laws and created a more serious screening system to eliminate candidates perceived as traitors.

During its lengthy metaphorical narrative, this story presents an insight into how the National Security Law has reshaped the political landscape of the island, rewriting it with an opposition in favor of democracy whose activities were once legal but are now destroyed, and dissenters are almost eradicated.

Simon Cheng, a democracy activist in exile, states that the National Security Law has created an environment of fear and self-censorship, silencing important and influential voices that used to advocate for democracy and human rights, creating a void where once strong public debates and civic engagement existed.

The Era of New Authoritarianism

Two months ago, the Hong Kong Legislative Council unanimously passed a new National Security Law known as Article 23, which complements the law imposed by Beijing in 2020.

This law predicts more criminal offenses than in 2020, including treason, subversion, espionage, theft of state secrets, and sabotage. Under this law, six individuals, including Chow Hang Tung, a civil rights activist, have been arrested.

According to authorities, they were using social media platforms on a sensitive anniversary to spread seditious content.

The mention of the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre is that until 2019, on June 4th in Hong Kong, a vigil was held to commemorate the victims.

The anniversary of the anti-communist protests that shook the heart of China 35 years ago is closely monitored by Chinese authorities who have recently decided to censor and prohibit any commemorative ceremonies in the city.

International doubts expressed about Article 23 have provoked a quick reaction from China, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong describing the positions of the US and EU foreign ministries as irresponsible and unfounded remarks.

However, this law has also faced widespread criticism by human rights groups, calling it a new era of authoritarianism on the island.

Almost four years after the passage of the Hong Kong National Security Law, it seems that a new status quo has been established in this city.

The action approved by the People’s Republic in June 2020 gave city authorities the power to eliminate pro-democracy opposition that had achieved significant political results in the aftermath of the 2019 protests and to silence the rest of civil society thanks to these protests.

A very pervasive legal architecture created by Beijing in the city.

Today’s ruling confirms this matter, but China’s interventions should not lead to confusion on the island. After the end of the political crisis on 02/20/2019 and China’s reassertion of control over Hong Kong, it has been reported that Beijing is considering handing back the responsibility of national security protection in Hong Kong to local authorities.

This process of political control normalization over the new current situation comes with economic challenges that China is facing. Hong Kong, as gateways to global markets, can help alleviate these problems.

However, this is only possible if there is a semblance of normalization in citizen affairs management on the island, which is not currently very apparent.