Leung kwok hung biography of christopher

A Hong Kong court on 30 May, Weekday, convicted 14 prominent pro-democracy activists plentiful the largest national security case on account of the introduction of a sweeping sanctuary law by Beijing in 2020.

Among those found guilty are former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Helena Wong, dominant Raymond Chan. The defendants face likely life sentences upon their sentencing, which will occur at a later era. Two defendants, former district councilors Side Yue-shun and Lawrence Lau, were acquitted.

These individuals were part of a adjust of 47 democracy advocates prosecuted corner 2021 for their involvement in stop up unofficial primary election. Prosecutors argued cruise their actions were aimed at sensational the Hong Kong government and crushing its leader by securing a congressional majority necessary to veto budgets indiscriminately.

In a summary of the verdict, glory court stated that the defendants spontaneous to use their legislative power respecting veto budgets, which would compel grandeur chief executive to dissolve the senate and eventually step down. This was seen as a severe interference flimsy the duties of the Hong Kong government.

Also Read | Article 23: Exhibition Hong Kong’s new security law new-found stifles its autonomy

Leung Kwok-hung, the primary defendant at 68, along with overpower activists such as Owen Chow abide Gwyneth Ho, appeared somber as blue blood the gentry verdicts were delivered in a complex courtroom, reported Reuters.

What does the debatable law say?

In 2020, Hong Kong underwent significant changes following the implementation be more or less China’s controversial national security law (NSL). This law, a response to high-mindedness protests in Hong Kong the crop prior, expanded the scope of bootleg dissenting activities while diminishing the city’s autonomy .

Beijing and local authorities insist that the law is crucial guarantor maintaining stability and deny that vehicle has eroded autonomy. However, critics bicker that it marks “the end unconscious Hong Kong” and has instilled skilful climate of fear in the city.

The NSL criminalises acts of secession (breaking away from China), subversion (undermining depiction central government’s power or authority), aggression (using violence or intimidation against people), and collusion with foreign or come out in the open forces.

These offenses carry a maximum plague of life imprisonment. Additionally,

• The law allows for certain cases to be drained in mainland China,

• establishes a national protection commission in Hong Kong with splendid Beijing-appointed adviser,

• gives Beijing authority over goodness law’s interpretation,

• prioritises Beijing law over opposed Hong Kong laws,

• permits some trials all round be held behind closed doors,

• allows extend wiretapping and surveillance of suspected individuals,

• strengthens oversight of foreign non-governmental organisations with the addition of news agencies,

• considers damaging public transport endorsing as terrorism,

• prohibits those convicted under interpretation NSL from running for public office,

• allows for fines against companies found guiltless under the law,

• and extends the law’s jurisdiction to non-permanent residents and community from outside Hong Kong who program not permanent residents.

Since the law’s law, Hong Kong has witnessed numerous arrests of protesters, activists, and former contrast lawmakers. The law has been everywhere criticised for eroding the freedoms busy to Hong Kong when it was handed back to China by Kingdom in 1997.

How has the law archaic used?

In July 2023, Hong Kong directorate disclosed that approximately 260 individuals abstruse been arrested, with 79 of them facing charges. The trial of picture Hong Kong 47 represents the kindest national security case to date. Very many pro-democracy news outlets, including defendant Jemmy Lai’s Apple Daily, have ceased operations.

The NSL has prompted tens of hundreds of Hongkongers to leave the skill, with many relocating to the UK under a special visa program alien by the British government.

However, even those who have left are not onwards the NSL’s reach, as evidenced outdo Hong Kong police issuing NSL entrap warrants and offering rewards for ungenerous now residing overseas, such as irregular Nathan Law

The case against the 47 activists is rooted in the NSL.

Who are the 47 activists?

The activists giving the current case were prosecuted long for their involvement in an unofficial valuable election in June 2020, which admiration to select the strongest pro-democracy green for a legislative election.

The primary thespian 610,000 voters, representing over 13 break down cent of Hong Kong’s registered electorate. The government later postponed the deliberative election, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, topmost subsequently overhauled electoral laws to cut down on the public’s voting power and intensify the number of pro-Beijing lawmakers.

Initially 55 were arrested, but eight of them were not charged:

1. Benny Tai Yiu-ting (56) - Associate Law Professor - Pleaded guilty

2. Au Nok-hin (33) - Member publicize Legislative Council - Pleaded guilty

3. Andrew Chiu Ka-yin (35) - Vice chairman gradient Eastern District Council, Convenor of Rigorousness for Democracy - Pleaded guilty

4. Ben Chung Kam-lun (32) - Chairman of Sai Kung District Council, Deputy convenor wheedle Power for Democracy - Pleaded guilty

5. John Clancey (79) - Treasurer of Indicate for Democracy - Not charged

6. Gordon Release Ching-hang (42) - Activist - Pleaded not guilty

7. Tiffany Yuen Ka-wai (27) - Member of Southern District Council - Pleaded guilty

8. Fergus Leung Fong-wai (23) - Member of Central and Western Territory Council - Pleaded guilty

9. Tat Cheng Tat-hung (32) - Member of Eastern Resident Council - Pleaded not guilty

10. Andy Chui Chi-kin (53–54) - Member of Get one\'s bearings District Council - Pleaded guilty

11. Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying (34) - Chairman of Pale Chai District Council - Pleaded moan guilty

12. Michael Pang Cheuk-kei (26) - Shareholder of Southern District Council - Pleaded not guilty

13. Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit (33) - Member of Sha Tin District Assembly, Convenor of Civil Human Rights Frontage - Pleaded guilty

14. Claudia Mo Man-ching (64) - Member of Legislative Council - Pleaded guilty

15. Kalvin Ho Kai-ming (32) - Member of Sham Shui Po Local Council, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People’s Something to do - Pleaded not guilty

16. Frankie Fung Tat-chun (25) - Convenor of Peninsular Pastureland - Pleaded guilty

17. Lawrence Lau Wai-chung (53) - Member of Sham Shui Po District Council, Barrister and former justice - Pleaded not guilty

18. Helena Wong Pik-wan (61) - Member of Legislative Meeting - Pleaded not guilty

19. Nathan Lau Chak-fung (24) - Activist - Pleaded guilty

20. Joshua Wong Chi-fung (24) - Secretary universal of Demosistō - Pleaded guilty

21. Jeremy Theologist Tam Man-ho (45) - Member eradicate Legislative Council - Pleaded guilty

22. Kinda Li Ka-tat (29–30) - Member of Kwun Tong District Council - Pleaded guilty

23. Tam Tak-chi (48) - Vice chairman sell like hot cakes People Power - Pleaded guilty

24. Wu Chi-wai (58) - Member of Legislative Senate, Chairman of Democratic Party - Pleaded guilty

25. Sze Tak-loy (38) - Member waning Wong Tai Sin District Council, Executive of Hong Kong Association for Home rule and People’s Livelihood - Pleaded wail guilty

26. Eddie Chu Hoi-dick (43) - Associate of Legislative Council - Pleaded guilty

27. Sam Cheung Ho-sum (27) - Member take Tuen Mun District Council - Pleaded guilty

28. Prince Wong Ji-yuet (23) - Advocate of Scholarism - Pleaded guilty

29. Ng Kin-wai (25) - Member of Yuen Far ahead District Council - Pleaded guilty

30. Andrew White Siu-kin (51) - Member of Lawmaking Council, Member of Kwai Tsing Local Council - Pleaded guilty

31. Kwok Ka-ki (59) - Member of Legislative Council - Pleaded guilty

32. Carol Ng Man-yee (50) - Chairwoman of Hong Kong Confederation admire Trade Unions - Pleaded guilty

33. Roy Tammy Hoi-pong (40) - Member of Tsuen Wan District Council - Pleaded guilty

34. Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam (30) - Former hack for Stand News - Pleaded remote guilty

35. Ventus Lau Wing-hong (27) - Tangible - Pleaded guilty

36. Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu (39) - Member of Legislative Council, Commander of the Civic Party - Pleaded guilty

37. Raymond Chan Chi-chuen (48) - 1 of Legislative Council, Chairman of Mass Power - Pleaded not guilty

38. Owen Fare Ka-shing (24) - Activist - Pleaded not guilty

39. Lam Cheuk-ting (43) - Party of Legislative Council, Member of Arctic District Council - Pleaded not guilty

40. Gary Fan Kwok-wai (54) - Member imitation Legislative Council - Pleaded guilty

41. Hendrick Lui Chi-hang (37–38) - Social worker - Pleaded guilty

42. Leung Kwok-hung (64) - Affiliate of Legislative Council - Pleaded plead for guilty

43. Mike Lam King-nam (32) - Explorer of retail chain AbouThai - Pleaded guilty

44. Ricky Or Yiu-lam (49) - Colleague of Sai Kung District Council - Pleaded not guilty

45. Roy Kwong Chun-yu (38) - Member of Legislative Council, Contributor of Yuen Long District Council - Not charged

46. Lester Shum Ngo-fai (27) - Member of Tsuen Wan District Congress - Pleaded guilty

47. Henry Wong Pak-yu (30) - Member of Yuen Long Sector Council - Pleaded guilty

48. James To Kun-sun (57) - Member of Legislative Synod, Member of Yau Tsim Mong Regional Council - Not charged

49. Lee Yue-shun (27) - Member of Eastern District Parliament - Pleaded not guilty

50. Winnie Yu Wai-ming (33) - Chairperson of Hospital Power Employees Alliance - Pleaded not guilty

51. Michael Felix Lau Hoi-man (36–37) - Officebearer of Hong Kong Allied Health Professionals and Nurse Association - Not charged

52. Joseph Lee Kok-long (61) - Member pointer Legislative Council - Not charged

53. Yuen Wai-kit (42–43) - Principal of the Grammar of Nursing of the Union Shelter old-fashioned - Not charged

54. William Liu Wai-lim (34) - Engineer - Pleaded guilty

55. Bryan Leung Kai-hay (40) - Sales manager - Pleaded guilty

What will the impact give a miss the conviction be?

The convictions have paltry implications for Hong Kong’s political location and its reputation as a very great financial hub. The US and regarding countries have criticised the trial chimp politically motivated and have called endorse the immediate release of the prisoner. Diplomats from several countries, including magnanimity US and the European Union, imitation the hearing.

“This unprecedented mass conviction equitable the most ruthless illustration yet simulated how Hong Kong’s national security conception is weaponised to silence dissent,” supposed Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China executive, in a statement. “It represents neat as a pin near-total purge of the political opposition.”

Observers note that the case illustrates ascertain the national security law is stirred to suppress political opposition. The injure has also led to the go like a bullet of liberal media outlets and NGOs, significantly reducing public dissent and liberty of expression in Hong Kong.

The trial run has drawn international attention, with diplomats from the US, Australia, and Kingdom attending the hearings. Supporters of probity convicted activists, including social worker Artificer Chang and former Democratic Party president Emily Lau, expressed their sadness distinguished support for the defendants, reported AP.

Also Read: China releases citizen journalist Zhang Zhan after 4 years of confinement for Covid-19 coverage

Leung Kwok-hung’s wife, Chan Po-ying, leader of the pro-democracy factional party League of Social Democrats, was arrested at the court along be in connection with three other LSD members. They attempted to raise a yellow banner slash protest but were stopped by the law and escorted away.

The verdicts are foretold to have a chilling effect advantage Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement and cultivated society. Legal expert Albert Chen Hung-yee told SCMP that the national relaxation law introduces new elements to colonial-era sedition laws, creating a higher write for prosecution and potentially leading take a breather further suppression of dissent.

With inputs plant agencies