The Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights (UZDM) strongly condemns the continued prosecution of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, who pleaded guilty on September 2 under Hong Kong’s National Security Law to charges of colluding with foreign forces. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Wong has already spent nearly six years behind bars for his pro-democracy activism. His latest prosecution further demonstrates how the National Security Law has been used to suppress dissent, restrict fundamental freedoms, and criminalize engagement with the international community.
“Joshua Wong is being punished for peacefully defending freedoms that should never be treated as crimes. His case reflects a broader pattern we know all too well: the Chinese government seeks not only to silence those who challenge its repression, but also to isolate them from international support. The international community must continue to stand with Joshua Wong and all those imprisoned for defending fundamental rights.” – said UZDM President Dolkun Isa.
UZDM calls for the immediate release of Joshua Wong and other democracy defenders imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights, and urges the international community to continue holding the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities accountable for the systematic erosion of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.