Hundreds rallied in front of a Hong Kong court on Monday after 47 pro-democracy activists were charged with national security crackdowns, arrests that led to the conviction of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the European Union. (…)
The 47 were among more than 50 arrested in January and face charges of “conspiracy to commit subversion” under a draconian national security law imposed by the Chinese Communist government designed to quell dissent.
They were accused of holding an unofficial primary poll last July to choose candidates for the 2020 legislative elections, which were postponed due to the coronavirus.
Hong Kong authorities said the intention of the investigation was to “overthrow” the government.
Blinken demanded the release of the 47 protesters in Hong Kong.
“We condemn the arrest and charges against pan-democratic candidates in the Hong Kong elections and call for their immediate freedom. Political participation and freedom of expression should not be a crime. The US is on the side of the people of Hong Kong “. he said in a Twitter post Sunday.
The EU said the arrests make it “clear that legitimate political pluralism will no longer be tolerated in Hong Kong,” spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said in a statement.
“The EU urges the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities to fulfill their commitments to fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, as enshrined in the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The EU calls for the immediate release of those arrested, “he added.
Outrage over China’s management of Hong Kong comes as a new Gallup poll released Monday shows that Americans ’views on China have fallen to historic lows.
Americans ’favorable ratings for China hit a record low of 20%, a 13 percentage point drop from 33% a year ago.
20 percent was the lowest since the 33 percent favorability recorded in 1997 and 34 percent in 1989 after the Chinese government cracked down on protesters in Tiananmen Square.
With publishing cables