Hong Kong political freedoms in spotlight during bumper trial week
The Hindu
Hong Kong's erosion of political freedoms highlighted in high-profile national security trials, drawing international condemnation and concern.
The erosion of political freedoms in Hong Kong will come under the spotlight this week with key developments in two high-profile national security trials.
On Wednesday (November 20, 2024) jailed tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai will testify in his collusion trial, breaking the silence he has kept over five previous trials and almost four years in jail.
He will take the stand the day after the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy politicians and activists for a subversion case triggered by their holding an unofficial election primary.
Both cases could carry sentences of up to life in prison.
Western countries and international rights groups have condemned the two trials as evidence of Hong Kong's increased authoritarianism since Beijing imposed a national security law on the city in 2020.
"These are two cases that epitomise the collapse of human rights in Hong Kong since (then)," Amnesty International's China Director Sarah Brooks told AFP.
"Not only have these prosecutions been draconian; they have also been cruel -- dragged out for several years with no regard for the lives and families shattered along the way."
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