Hong Kong activists

Hong Kong's top court has upheld the convictions of seven prominent pro-democracy activists, including Jimmy Lai and Martin Lee, for their roles in a 2019 anti-government protest. Initially found guilty in 2021 of organizing and participating in an unauthorized assembly, the activists previously had some charges quashed by a lower court, but their appeals were ultimately rejected by the Court of Final Appeal. The ruling reflects the ongoing political crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong, intensified by the national security law enacted by Beijing. The judges dismissed the activists' argument for a proportionality assessment based on British legal precedents, asserting that Hong Kong's legal frameworks differ significantly. This decision further underscores the challenges faced by the pro-democracy movement in a city where freedoms are increasingly curtailed. The activists' convictions have been viewed as a significant setback for efforts advocating for democratic reforms in Hong Kong.