Today, the Court of First Instance of the High Court of Hong Kong handed down sentences in the case against the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (“Hong Kong Alliance”), Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho Chun-yan, and Chow Hang-tung for “incitement to subvert state power” (HCCC 155/2022). Lee Cheuk-yan was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment, Albert Ho Chun-yan to 5 years and 2 months, and Chow Hang-tung to 7 years and 3 months; the Court also imposed a fine of HK$1.5 million on the Hong Kong Alliance.
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights stated:
“The Centre strongly condemns the heavy prison sentences handed down to the three leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance: Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho Chun-yan, and Chow Hang-tung. In its judgment, the Court explicitly stated that the case ‘involved no violence’ and that the defendants ‘did not propose specific methods of execution.’ Yet, solely because the Alliance possessed broad social influence and conducted advocacy over a long duration, the Court categorized their peaceful, rational advocacy as ‘of a serious nature’ under the National Security Law and imposed harsh sentences. This sentencing logic is absurd and exceedingly dangerous, amounting to the outright criminalization of the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association guaranteed by the Basic Law and international conventions. Using social influence as a benchmark for punishment represents a blatant criminalization of speech, aimed at completely eradicating civil society and dissenting voices in Hong Kong. We urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho Chun-yan, Chow Hang-tung, and all individuals imprisoned for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.”
“Multiple United Nations human rights experts have repeatedly stated that the prosecutions in the Hong Kong Alliance case target individuals based on their political views, legitimate human rights work, pro-democracy activities, and the exercise of freedom of expression and assembly (Note 1). The Hong Kong government’s conviction and sentencing of the three individuals clearly violate its obligations and commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international human rights law.”
“We reiterate that the convictions in this case occurred after the Department of Justice directed that there be no jury trial, with designated National Security Law judges presiding over the proceedings. The trial process did not conform to judicial fairness or the spirit of the rule of law. This judgment demonstrates once again that the Hong Kong courts, operating under the Hong Kong National Security Law, are incapable of fulfilling their mission to safeguard human rights, freedom, and the rule of law, serving instead as instruments for the weaponization of the law.”
“We are deeply concerned about how Hong Kong authorities and courts handle the ‘exhibits’ in this case, including books and records related to June 4th and the Pillar of Shame. If the court allows the prosecution’s request to confiscate the artefacts possessed by the Hong Kong Alliance, they could be destroyed. In a thematic report submitted in 2020, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence explicitly noted that acknowledging and memorializing crimes and massive human rights violations committed by authoritarian regimes is an essential prerequisite for establishing a democratic, pluralistic, inclusive, and peaceful society; otherwise, violence will only persist and be legitimized. Destroying public memory and evidence of historical tragedies not only inflicts ‘secondary trauma’ upon victims, but also fosters a culture of impunity.”
Note 1: As early as 2023, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determined that the Hong Kong government’s detention of Chow Hang-tung was arbitrary and based on her political stance and the exercise of her rights to freedom of expression and assembly (A/HRC/WGAD/2023/30). In 2026, five human rights experts under the UN Special Procedures—the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers—issued a joint communication (AL CHN 23/2025). They expressed concern over the charges and detention of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, noting that both were targeted and prosecuted for expressing political opinions and conducting legitimate human rights and pro-democracy activities, in clear contravention of their rights protected under international human rights law. The communication also cited data showing that as of June 2025, approximately 189 individuals in Hong Kong had been prosecuted for offences related to the National Security Law. Among the concluded cases, an estimated 85% involved legitimate expressive acts that should not be criminalized under international human rights law.