Human Rights Watch (HRW) Monday published a call asking Hong Kong to end its “unfair” trial practices against 47 lawmakers and activists charged under the national security law imposed in 2020 and immediately release those still detained. According to HRW, the crimes established by the law are “overly broad and arbitrarily applied.”

After the media ban on the 47 accused was lifted, the prosecution named five of them as “major organizers,” namely, Benny Tai, a legal scholar; Au Nok-hin, ex-lawmaker; Andrew Chiu Ka-yin and Ben Chung Kam-lun, ex-district council members; and Gordon Ng Ching-hang, an activist; and suggested harsh sentences including life imprisonment.

The prosecution emphasizes on the 47 accused’s speeches and public addresses and alleges that they aim to “paralyze the operations of the Hong Kong government.” Many of the 47 have been detained for as long as 18 months and allegedly repeatedly denied consular access.

HRW also stated that nearly 200 people have been arrested under the national security law and more than 110 of them prosecuted. Maya Wang, Senior China Researcher at HRW, said:

Hong Kong’s biggest national security case is wrapped in legal language, but it’s just part of the Chinese government’s relentless efforts to smother Hong Kong’s democracy movement. The very real threat of life in prison for peaceful activism shows Beijing’s utter contempt for both democratic political processes and the rule of law.

In late July, the UN Human Rights Committee called for Hong Kong authorities to take urgent steps to repeal the law, and raised concern about the many civil society organizations which have relocated or closed down since the enactment of the law.