Press Release – For Immediate Release
11 November 2024
Contact: World Uyghur Congress www.uyghurcongress.org
+49 89 5432 1999 or [email protected]

On November 19, a Hong Kong court jailed 45 pro-democracy activists on subversion for their involvement in the 2019 pro-democracy protests, following one of the biggest trials under the new national security law (NSL) imposed by China in 2020. In May 2024, 14 out of the 47 pro-democracy key figures were convicted, with two being acquitted, and the others having already pleaded guilty. Today, the court read their sentences, ranging from 4 to 10 years. 

“Jailing pro-democracy key figures, who risk their own personal freedom for democracy, as China continues to restrict key fundamental rights and allows for the shrinking of civil society, should worry all of us,” said World Uyghur Congress President Turhunjan Alawdun. “Instead of welcoming Chinese leaders with open arms, democratic nation-states need to address with sincere actions the erosion of the global rule of law and the silencing of dissidents under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).”

The WUC stands firm in its unwavering solidarity with the democracy movement in Hong Kong and fully supports the pro-democracy activists and their families in these difficult times. Democratic nations need to oppose China’s growing human rights violations, and introduce measures that support the rights and freedoms of affected communities, including Uyghurs, Tibetans and Hong Kongers. The Chinese government needs to be held accountable for its human rights abuses.