Press release July 20, 2016
Hong Kong: Freedom House Condemns Conviction of Democracy Activists
In response to the conviction of pro-democracy protesters Alex Chow, Nathan Law, and Joshua Wong, Freedom House issued the following statement.
Washington
In response to the conviction of pro-democracy protesters Alex Chow, Nathan Law, and Joshua Wong, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“The conviction of Alex Chow, Nathan Law, and Joshua Wong is an affront to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in Hong Kong, and a violation of Article 27 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law,” said Mark P. Lagon, president. “The people of Hong Kong have the inherent right to express their opinions. The conviction of these student leaders should be immediately overturned.”
Background:
On Thursday, July 21, Nathan Law and Joshua Wong were convicted of “unlawful assembly,” and Alex Chow was convicted of “inciting others to join an unlawful assembly” for their part in the Umbrella Revolution – the 79-day pro-democracy protests that spread across in Hong Kong in 2014. They face sentencing on August 15 and may be required to serve time in prison.
Hong Kong is rated Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2016 and Partly Free in Freedom of the Press 2016.