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単語数: 610語

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作成日: 2024/11/20 07:00

更新日: 2025/12/08 08:41

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A court in Hong Kong has sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to up to 10 years in prison for violating the territory&#039;s national security law.
                
In 2020, pro-democracy groups in Hong Kong hosted a primary election ahead of the official vote for the Legislative Council.
                
A total of 47 activists, including former lawmakers, were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion.
                
The defense denied any intention to commit subversion. But prosecutors claimed that the former lawmakers and their supporters aimed to secure a majority of seats in the Legislative Council, paralyze the Hong Kong government, and force the chief executive to resign. The court sided with the prosecutors.
                
On Tuesday, 45 convicted individuals were given prison sentences ranging from four years and two months to 10 years.
                
The maximum 10-year sentence was handed to Benny Tai, a former associate professor at the University of Hong Kong who organized the primary.
                
Joshua Wong, a renowned activist who took part in the election, was sentenced to four years and eight months.
                
The case has been the largest under Hong Kong&#039;s national security law that aims to crack down on anti-government activities.
                
Hong Kong&#039;s democracy movement was crushed by the arrests and prosecution of its key figures.
                
Hundreds of Hong Kong citizens lined up outside the courthouse on Tuesday to get gallery admission tickets amid a heavy police presence in the area.
                
Supporters of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments also gathered. They waved the Chinese flag and demanded tough sentences for the activists.
                
The sentencing was over in about 10 minutes. The court gave little explanation for its decisions.
                
Some people outside held signs and protested the sentences, but they were quickly subdued and driven away by police.
                
Emily Lau, former chairperson of Hong Kong&#039;s Democratic Party, which used to be the largest opposition party in the Legislative Council, said the outcome left her heartbroken. She vowed to continue fighting within legal bounds for freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
                
Another person described the sentences as unacceptable and sad. He said the court&#039;s decision was harsh for those fighting for democracy, and also raises the fear of a tougher crackdown.
                
China&#039;s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on Tuesday that Hong Kong is a society ruled by law where &quot;no one can engage in illegal activities in the name of democracy and attempt to escape legal punishment.&quot;
                
Lin said Beijing supports Hong Kong&#039;s efforts to punish any activities that are harmful to national security.
                
He also expressed opposition to interference in China&#039;s domestic affairs by some Western countries using individual judicial issues as an excuse.
                
Taiwan&#039;s presidential office has strongly criticized the ruling by a Hong Kong court to imprison 45 pro-democracy activists.
                
A presidential office spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday that democracy is not a crime. The statement also said that Taiwan condemns the Chinese government&#039;s use of judicial measures and unjust procedures to suppress the political participation and freedom of speech of Hong Kong&#039;s pro-democracy figures.
                
The spokesperson referred to China&#039;s &quot;One Country, Two Systems&quot; principle for Hong Kong. To achieve Hong Kong&#039;s return to China from British rule, Beijing promised to keep the governing principle for 50 years. China reportedly considers such a principle for the proposed unification with Taiwan.
                
The spokesperson said the latest court ruling not only breaks China&#039;s promise of not changing the principle for 50 years and allowing a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong, but also proves that the principle is not feasible.
                
The official also said that Taiwan will work with the international community as a member of the democratic camp to resist the expansion of autocratic forces.

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