Today’s sentencing of the 12 Hong Kong youths “paves the way for more Hong Kong pro-democracy activists to be extradited and tried in the mainland”

Today 10 of the 12 Hong Kong youths detained in Shenzhen were jailed for between seven months and three years for illegally crossing a border.

The Shenzhen Yantian District People's court sentenced Tang Kai Yin (M), 31, and Quinn Moon (F), 33, to three years and two years in jail, respectively, for organising an illegal border crossing. The remaining eight activists were sentenced to a "lighter punishment" of seven months in prison for illegally crossing the border.

The two remaining members of the group, both aged under 18, which includes a dual Portuguese national, were returned into the custody of Hong Kong police.

The 12 activists in question were arrested on 23rd August after Chinese authorities intercepted their boat heading towards Taiwan. The group were fleeing Hong Kong as a result of the draconian National Security Law, which was enforced by Beijing on the city in July. They have been detained in Shenzhen for four months without access to lawyers of their choosing, prescribed medication, or direct contact with their families.

Commenting on the sentencing of the 12 Hong Kong activists, Benedict Rogers, Hong Kong Watch’s Chief Executive said:

“Today’s sentencing is a heart-breaking milestone in the campaign to free the 12 Hong Kong youths who have already been detained in Shenzhen for four months. There is a risk that the ten activists who have been charged could be tortured or face ill-treatment in jail.

From the day they were arrested, we have campaigned for their return to Hong Kong noting that there was no chance of a fair trial in mainland China. Today’s judgement following a secret trial where lawyers, diplomats, and even their families were denied access to them, only reaffirms the politicised and arbitrary nature of their detention. It also could pave the way for more Hong Kong pro-democracy activists to be extradited and tried in the mainland.

The international community cannot forget the plight of the ten Hong Kong youths who remain in prison in Shenzhen. We urge the international community to continue to push for their release and return to Hong Kong and for coordinated and firm action against the continued deterioration of Hong Kong’s autonomy, freedoms, and way of life.”