Kathmandu— A Hong Kong court convicted two prominent pro-democracy activists, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, on national security charges Friday, in a case widely seen as emblematic of the shrinking space for dissent in the city. The pair, former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, were found guilty of ‘incitement to subversion’ for their roles in organizing annual candlelight vigils commemorating Beijing's deadly 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. They could face up to ten years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for a later date.

Erosion of Freedoms

Prosecutors argued that Lee and Chow endangered national security under the guise of human rights. The conviction follows a pattern of increasing restrictions on political expression in Hong Kong since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in 2020, following large-scale anti-government protests the previous year. Mark Clifford, president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, stated that the verdict was ‘no surprise,’ asserting that the city’s judicial system had effectively predetermined their guilt back in 2021.

A Decades-Long Tradition Suppressed

For thirty years, the Hong Kong Alliance organized a candlelight vigil which became the largest public commemoration of the Tiananmen crackdown globally, drawing tens of thousands annually. The event was banned in 2020, initially under the pretext of COVID-19 restrictions, but coinciding with the imposition of the national security law. The leaders of the alliance have been detained since being charged, effectively silencing a key voice for democracy and remembrance.

Harsh Detention Conditions

Chow Hang-tung, a human rights barrister who represented herself in court, has continued to speak out against the authorities despite her detention. In a recent blog post, she detailed the harsh conditions of her imprisonment, describing being restrained with shackles at her wrists, waist and ankles—a practice she likened to being ‘led like a dog on a lead.’ She also described specialized handcuffs causing significant pain due to the contortions they forced upon her body.

The convictions of Lee and Chow are likely to further deter pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong and raise concerns about the future of freedoms in the city. Human Rights Watch has urged governments worldwide to hold Beijing accountable for eroding Hong Kong’s liberties.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.