Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong face lengthy wait for judgement: Analysis

Closing arguments are set to begin in Hong Kong on Wednesday in the trial of 16 pro-democracy activists and legislators. The group of 16 individuals was arrested by national security police over 1,000 days ago and faces charges of conspiracy to commit subversion. The trial has faced numerous delays, sparking international criticism. If convicted, the defendants could be sentenced to life imprisonment. Among the 47 pro-democracy figures originally arrested in January 2021, 31 have already pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The trial, which has lasted almost 10 months so far, has been characterized by a significant amount of evidence to review due to the thousands of pages provided by the defense and prosecution. The prosecution alleges that the defendants violated Hong Kong’s national security legislation by organizing an unofficial election primary in July 2020, with the intention of gaining a majority in the semi-democratic legislature and blocking the government’s budget bills. Delays and extended proceedings have become common in Hong Kong’s legal system since the imposition of the national security law following the anti-government protests in 2019. These delays have resulted in a backlog of cases, particularly related to the protests, which significantly impacts court resources. The number of people in remand in Hong Kong prisons has increased over the years, with a large number awaiting trial or sentencing. This backlog is attributed to the thousands of prosecutions that followed the 2019 protests. Protest-related cases have taken longer to process than other criminal cases, with over 41% taking more than a year to complete as of August 2022. The shortage of judges in Hong Kong’s courts has also exacerbated the backlog. These delays and backlogs have led to concerns about the denial of justice, the impact on the right to bail, and the right to a jury trial. The trial of the 16 pro-democracy activists and legislators is not the only high-profile case facing delays. Cases involving prominent figures like Jimmy Lai, the founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, and editors of the now-defunct digital news outlet Stand News have also experienced delays. These delays have raised concerns about the integrity of the legal system and have drawn criticism from both local and international observers. The delays, backlog, and shortage of judges have resulted in a lack of resolution in important cases, leaving individuals in extended periods of pre-trial detention and contributing to a sense of injustice. The impact of the national security law on Hong Kong’s legal system and the delays in legal proceedings can create an environment where individuals may lose confidence in the fairness of the legal process. The political landscape and the prevalence of fake news can also contribute to the public’s perception of these issues. In an era of increasing disinformation, it is crucial to rely on credible sources and objective analysis to form an accurate understanding of the complexities involved in high-profile trials like the one in Hong Kong.

Source: Aljazeera news: Hong Kong’s arrested pro-democracy activists face long wait for judgement