A Hong Kong man has become the first individual to be convicted under the city’s new national security law, following his arrest on June 12 for wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a protest slogan. Chu Kai-pong, 27, pleaded guilty to the charge of ‘doing with a seditious intention an act’ in a case that has significant implications for freedom of expression in Hong Kong.
Chu was detained at an MTR station for sporting a T-shirt with the slogan ‘Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times’ and a yellow mask inscribed with ‘FDNOL’ – shorthand for ‘five demands, not one less.’ These slogans were popular during the large-scale pro-democracy protests that swept Hong Kong in 2019. Chu admitted to wearing the T-shirt to remind people of the protests, as testified in court.
Under the new security law, passed in March, the maximum sentence for sedition has been extended from two years to seven years in prison. If collusion with foreign forces is involved, the sentence can reach up to ten years. This law was enacted following the 2020 national security law, aimed at criminalizing secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities, with penalties reaching life imprisonment.
Chief Magistrate Victor So, selected by the city leader to oversee national security cases, postponed Chu’s sentencing to Thursday. The arrest and subsequent conviction underscore the shifting landscape of Hong Kong’s legal system post-1997, when the territory was handed back to China under the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement, which purported to protect freedoms such as speech.
However, critics, including the United States government, argue that the new security law’s broad definitions could be exploited to suppress dissent. Conversely, Hong Kong and Chinese officials maintain that the law is essential for closing gaps in the national security framework.
The slogans associated with Chu’s conviction, particularly ‘Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,’ became emblematic of the 2019 protests, which often escalated into violent confrontations. The phrase ‘FDNOL’ signifies the core demands of the protestors, emphasizing their uncompromising stance.
Meanwhile, the international community continues to monitor the implications of these legal developments. The enforcement of these laws raises concerns about the future of civil liberties in Hong Kong, a vital global financial hub. The outcome of Chu’s sentencing could potentially serve as a precedent for future cases under the national security law.
Chu Kai-pong’s conviction marks a pivotal moment under Hong Kong’s new national security law. As the region grapples with the balance between security and freedom, this case highlights the ongoing tensions and the potential ramifications for future expressions of dissent.
Source: Rappler