The Hong Kong government has responded to international criticism regarding the city’s recent arrests under a new security law and the trial of 47 pro-democracy figures by defending its law enforcement actions. After the European Union and the United States condemned the verdict in the trial of the 47 democrats and the first arrests under the security law, the government issued a statement refuting the accusations.
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) criticized the verdicts in the trial, urging the Biden administration to sanction judges and prosecutors involved. It also called for urgent discussions at the UN on the consequences of Hong Kong’s national security legislation on human rights.
The trial involved 47 prominent democrats prosecuted under the security law for “conspiracy to commit subversion.” The High Court convicted 14 of the 16 defendants who pleaded not guilty, prompting swift criticism from Western countries, with the CECC stating that the Chinese Communist Party’s influence was evident in the judicial process.
Similarly, the EU labeled the case a “politically motivated prosecution.” However, the Hong Kong government denied these claims, asserting that law enforcement actions were based on evidence and conducted in accordance with the law.
In addition to the trial, the government also faced criticism for its first arrests under the new security law. The arrests, which targeted individuals suspected of posting seditious posts online, drew condemnation from both the EU and the US. The government defended Article 23 of the Basic Law, stating that it targets only an “extremely small minority” and does not hinder legitimate expression of opinions.
As international scrutiny intensifies, Hong Kong’s government continues to assert the legality and necessity of its actions under the security law.