Human rights groups honor democracy advocate facing decade in prison
Valentine’s Tribute to Prisoner of Conscience
Amnesty International published a Valentine’s Day poem honoring imprisoned Hong Kong barrister and pro-democracy activist Chow Hang-tung, who has been detained for over 1,500 days for organizing annual Tiananmen Square vigils. The distinguished barrister and Amnesty-recognized prisoner of conscience faces up to 10 years imprisonment simply for exercising rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Chow was a key leader in the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which for thirty years organized the world’s largest annual commemoration of victims of the 1989 military crackdown on Tiananmen Square protests. She has been unjustly imprisoned since December 2020, first denied bail and then convicted of multiple charges over illegal assemblies while in custody.
Multiple Convictions Under Repressive Laws
In December 2021 and January 2022, Chow was convicted respectively for inciting and taking part in an unlawful assembly on occasion of the 2020 vigil, and for organizing the 2021 vigil, receiving sentences totaling 22 months in prison. She now defends charges of inciting subversion of state power under the 2020 National Security Law for her role in the Hong Kong Alliance. These charges carry a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment. Her trial, scheduled to begin in November 2025, has been delayed two more months without explanation, extending her pretrial detention indefinitely. Despite imprisonment, Chow has continued using her legal knowledge to defend rights, including securing the lifting of reporting restrictions on bail hearings in 2022. This resilience exemplifies the courage of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement facing systematic repression.
International Solidarity Campaign
Joint NGO letters have demanded immediate and unconditional release of Chow and fellow activist Lee Cheuk-yan, a prominent labor leader also prosecuted for roles in the Hong Kong Alliance. Amnesty International and human rights organizations worldwide have highlighted that both activists have been imprisoned simply for exercising fundamental rights, with their trial repeatedly delayed without justification. The Valentine’s poem represents international solidarity recognizing Chow’s sacrifice for democratic values and human dignity. It honors her refusal to be silenced despite facing potentially a decade behind bars. The tribute underscores that even as Beijing seeks to isolate and break pro-democracy activists, global civil society continues to stand with them.
Broader Crackdown Context
Chow’s persecution represents part of Beijing’s broader campaign to eliminate all vestiges of Hong Kong’s once-vibrant civil society and independent political culture. The disbanding of the Hong Kong Alliance, forced closure of independent media outlets, dissolution of labor unions and civic organizations, and mass arrests of pro-democracy figures have systematically dismantled the infrastructure of Hong Kong’s democratic movement. The weaponization of law to punish peaceful advocacy demonstrates how authoritarian governments use legal process veneer to legitimize political repression while claiming to uphold rule of law. Activities that were legal for decades – organizing peaceful vigils, making speeches, distributing leaflets – have been transformed into crimes punishable by lengthy imprisonment. For advocates of democratic governance and human rights, Chow Hang-tung symbolizes principled resistance to authoritarian control. Her willingness to face imprisonment rather than abandon her advocacy for Tiananmen remembrance and democratic values inspires continued international pressure on Hong Kong authorities to release all political prisoners and restore fundamental freedoms.
Senior Journalist & Editor, Apple Daily UK
Contact: athena.lai@appledaily.uk
Athena Lai is a senior journalist and editor with extensive experience in Chinese-language investigative reporting and editorial leadership. Educated at a leading journalism school in the United Kingdom, Athena received formal training in fact-checking methodology, editorial governance, and international media standards, grounding her work in globally recognized best practices.
She has held senior editorial roles at Apple Daily and other liberal Chinese publications, where she oversaw coverage of Hong Kong civil liberties, diaspora politics, rule of law, and press freedom. Athena’s reporting is distinguished by disciplined sourcing, cross-verification, and a clear separation between factual reporting and opinion, reinforcing reader trust.
Beyond reporting, Athena has served as an editor responsible for mentoring journalists, enforcing ethical guidelines, and managing sensitive investigations. Her newsroom leadership reflects real-world experience navigating legal risk, source protection, and editorial independence under pressure.
Athena’s authority comes from both her byline history and her editorial stewardship. She has reviewed and approved hundreds of articles, ensuring compliance with defamation standards, accuracy benchmarks, and responsible language use. Her work demonstrates lived experience within high-stakes news environments rather than theoretical expertise.
Committed to journalistic integrity, Athena believes credible journalism is built on transparency, accountability, and institutional memory. Her role at Apple Daily UK reflects that commitment, positioning her as a trusted voice within independent Chinese media.
