(November 5, 2026) The Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights (hereafter “the Centre”) strongly condemns the Hong Kong government’s continued abuse of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and its strategic prosecution of pro-democracy political leaders.
Authorities accused Joshua Wong of prompting the United States to impose sanctions on 15 senior officials from China and Hong Kong, revoking Hong Kong’s special status under U.S. law, and suspending multiple bilateral agreements, including the extradition treaty. Furthermore, the prosecution alleged that he prompted countries including the UK, Germany, and France to suspend their extradition treaties with Hong Kong, and demanded an Israeli company stop selling digital forensics and decryption tools to China and Hong Kong.
In paragraphs 22-23 of the sentencing reasons, Wong and others advocated in May 2020 for European governments to include human rights clauses in trade agreements with China, which the court equates to demanding the inclusion of “adverse terms” that could lead to “highly detrimental and adverse” consequences to the state or Hong Kong.
The Centre expresses outrage that Wong, who is already serving a prison sentence, was handed an additional heavy sentence of 10 years by the court today based on these accusations. By treating legitimate international human rights advocacy as endangering national security, the court’s sentencing not only demonstrates its inability to serve as a defense line for human rights and the rule of law, but also accepts the retroactive application of the NSL’s criminal liability to acts that occurred before the law came into effect.
The Centre issues the following solemn statement regarding the case of Joshua Wong:
1. Deliberate Delay of Prosecution to Prevent Concurrent Sentencing and Plot Indefinite Imprisonment
Nearly five years after the incidents occurred, authorities suddenly filed new charges against the imprisoned Joshua Wong in June 2025. This action is clearly a politically manipulated prosecution deliberately timed to avoid the possibility of the court imposing concurrent sentences, thereby substantially extending his imprisonment term. Wong was originally expected to complete his sentence for the “47 democrats” primary election case in early 2027, but is now forced to face an additional 10-year term. Such strategic prosecution could also be used on others, effectively threatens imprisoned pro-democracy figures with the prospect of indefinite incarceration.
2. Advocating for Corporate Human Rights Responsibility is a Legitimate Right; the Department of Justice Inverts Cause and Effect
Civil society’s demand that corporations protect users’ freedom of communication and avoid becoming accomplices to human rights violations is legitimate advocacy work by global human rights defenders. It fully complies with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) and in no way endangers national security. The prosecution’s attempt to entirely blame advocates for foreign governments restricting equipment exports and tech companies withdrawing from the Hong Kong market is highly absurd and an inversion of cause and effect designed to shirk responsibility. In reality, the direct cause of foreign suppliers halting shipments or refusing services was the widespread and excessive use of force by the Hong Kong Police Force during the 2019 Anti-Extradition Bill movement, coupled with a lack of independent accountability in the monitoring system. These human rights violations have long been objectively and meticulously documented by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and multiple independent international human rights organizations.
3. Carrying Out Political Retaliation Under the Guise of “Safeguarding National Security”
The work of safeguarding national security must be built upon the respect and protection of the rule of law and human rights. The work of human rights defenders does not endangers national security; on the contrary, ensuring citizens’ freedom from fear and arbitrary surveillance is inherently a core component of a healthy and stable society. The authorities’ use of the NSL to wage endless criminal prosecutions against civil society leaders who speak out peacefully is essentially political retaliation under the guise of “safeguarding national security,” aimed at entirely eliminating opposing voices in society.
4. Systemic Human Rights Violations with Judicial and Procedural Justice Completely Eradicated
Since 2020, the Hong Kong government has used national security laws and other legal means to comprehensively suppress the pro-democracy movement, resulting in the mass detention of pro-democracy figures and dissidents. The Centre points out that this is no longer an isolated incident, but constitutes a clear and systemic pattern of human rights violations: most defendants face extremely high thresholds for bail, suffering prolonged pre-trial detention; cases are heard by government-designated “national security judges,” and High Court cases are handled by designated national security judges instead of a jury, severely undermining fairness; under immense systemic pressure, many defendants are ultimately forced to plead guilty.
The Centre strongly urges the international community to closely monitor the objective reality of the deteriorating rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. Governments worldwide should actively follow up and fight for the release of all individuals imprisoned under the Hong Kong National Security Law or related political prosecutions. We urge the Hong Kong government to immediately cease weaponizing laws and legal procedures as tools to suppress dissidents, restore basic judicial and procedural justice, and earnestly uphold the spirit of the rule of law in Hong Kong.