Sentencing of the NSL45 in Hong Kong: UK statement

Today, the High Court of Hong Kong sentenced 45 activists and former politicians. The 45 were sentenced under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law (NSL) for conspiracy to subvert state power. Commenting on the sentencing, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West said:

China's imposition of the National Security Law (NSL) in Hong Kong has eroded the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers. Today's sentencing is a clear demonstration of the Hong Kong authorities' use of the NSL to criminalise political dissent.

Those sentenced today were exercising their right to freedom of speech, of assembly and of political participation, as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Basic Law. The UK will always stand up for the people of Hong Kong, and all states should uphold their international obligations to protect these fundamental rights.