Democracy Dismantled

The sentencing of 45 pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong under its controversial National Security Law signifies a turning point in the former British colony's political and legal history.

- 

This trial, the largest since the law's imposition, is emblematic of a broader erosion of freedoms that once defined the territory. It underscores the cost of Beijing's drive to ensure control over a city long celebrated for its vibrant civil society. The law, introduced in 2020, has reshaped Hong Kong's political landscape by criminalising vaguely defined acts of subversion and collusion. Once a bastion of free expression, the city has witnessed an alarming crackdown on dissent. The recent trial, which targeted key figures in the pro-democracy movement, illustrates this stark transformation. These individuals were not accused of violent acts but of organising a primary election to strengthen opposition candidates – a democratic process by any global standard. This sentencing highlights the weaponisation of legal systems to achieve political ends. By framing democratic activities as threats to national security