Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists Convicted under National Security Charges

Author: Aahana Nagwekar

August 26, 2026

HRRC condemns the conviction of prominent pro-democracy activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung. Their fight against unjust crackdowns on human rights is always important and its necessary activism cannot go ignored. We encourage Hong Kong’s authorities to ensure the people’s fundamental human rights. 

Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan at a 2020 demonstration in Victoria Park, Hong Kong [Image credit: Wikimedia Commons]

On August 21, 2026, two prominent, pro-democracy activists were found guilty on charges of “incitement to subversion” in their role in commemorating the innocent lives lost during Beijing's deadly 1989 Tiananmen crackdown. To the public, this trial is a prime example of the erosion of basic freedoms such as speech and assembly. 

Both activists, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, received a maximum sentence of 10 years, with judges claiming that their calls to “end one-party dictatorship” were seen as clear breaches in the constitution, which defines the party’s leadership as a clear feature of socialism in China. 

As the court of public opinion grows, it has become clear that actions like these are a clear infringement on basic human rights related to freedom of speech and expression. In mainland China, authorities have forbidden references to the 1989 crackdowns, which makes Hong Kong’s apparent backtracking in its freedoms more blatant. The verdict also furthered that both activists made no attempt to stop once law was introduced to the scene, and even consistently encouraged others to participate in the movement through unlawful means. 

The event that both activists were trying to partake in is known as Hong Kong’s annual candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost during the Tiananmen crackdown in China. These events continued year by year under Beijing’s “one country, two systems” governing strategy, but this tradition was ultimately paused during COVID. With both Lee and Chow’s arrest while trying to continue the tradition, public observers note that it feels like an obvious attack on the important activism needed to ensure history is not forgotten. 

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Glossary

Backtracking – to return over the same course or route

Commemorating – to serve as a memorial or reminder of

Crackdowns – the severe or stern enforcement of regulations, laws, etc.

Enforcing – the act of putting or keeping in force; compel obedience to.

Erosion – destroy by slow consumption or disintegration

Freedom of Speech – the right to share your thoughts, ideas, and opinions without the government punishing, censoring, or stopping you

Infringement – a breach or infraction, as of a law, right, or obligation; violation; transgression

Prominent – leading, important, or well-known

Public Opinion – the collective opinion of many people on some issue, problem, etc., especially as a guide to action, decision, or the like

Right to Assembly – includes the right to hold meetings, sit-ins, strikes, rallies, events or protests, both offline and online

Subversion – the act of trying to destroy or damage an established system or government

Vigil – a quiet demonstration to support a cause, protest an injustice, honor the dead, etc.