#Court #47Democrats #PoliticslSuppression
The #Heartbreaking Moments: When Pro-democracy Activists in Hong Kong Fight for their Last Chance to Speak Up

Source: HK Citizens News #Mar14
Image: Sophiekiu.artsy

Previously, Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29388

Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29399

Read Part 3
⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29408

#Court #47Democrats #PoliticslSuppression
The #Heartbreaking Moments: When Pro-democracy Activists in Hong Kong Fight for their Last Chance to Speak Up

[Editor's note: The Hong Kong authorities arrested and charged 47 pro-democracy with #NationalSecurityLaw violations for their participation in the primary election of the democratic camp in 2020. The trial began in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on March 1, 2021.

The following is a reflective account written by Hong Kong journalist Cheung Hoi-kit.]


Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29388

Part 2:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29399

Part 3:

The hearing on March 3, 2021 was heartbreaking.

The bail conditions were discussed. These include a series of bans in elections, social media, media interview and others.

The defense stood up and argued that the bail conditions were too strict.

As most of the defendants are former Legislators and current district councillors who represent the electorates, the bail conditions would silence them totally, causing them to lose their functions in the community.

The girlfriend of Ventus Lau, one of the 47 pro-democracy activists, described that the bail conditions were sending the defendants to their "social death". Granting some form of freedom by sacrificing a large part of their rights is simply unreasonable.

Another heartbreaking moment came as several defendants changed to self-defence. Whether it was a planned strategy or a suddent change of mind, they were fighting for the last chance to speak for themselves. As they spoke, some of them hoarsed while others choked with tears.

Source: HK Citizens News #Mar14
Image: Sophiekiu.artsy

https://www.hkcnews.com/article/39218/47%E4%BA%BA%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8%E6%A1%88-%E6%B0%91%E4%B8%BB%E6%B4%BE%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8-%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B8%E5%A4%A7%E8%B5%B7%E8%A8%B4-39218/%E3%80%90%E6%8E%A1%E8%A8%AA%E6%89%8B%E8%A8%98%E3%80%9147%E4%BA%BA%E6%A1%88%E5%9B%9B%E6%97%A5%E5%9B%9B%E5%A4%9C%E3%80%8C%E5%8F%B2%E8%A9%A9%E5%BC%8F%E6%8F%90%E5%A0%82%E3%80%8D%E7%9A%84%E4%B8%80%E4%BA%9B%E5%82%99%E5%BF%98

#Reflection #PoliticalPrisoners