Hong Kong pro-democracy activists walk free

The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal on Tuesday struck down controversial prison sentences for pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong (left), Nathan Law (center) and Alex Chow (right), effectively allowing them to walk free.

In 2016, Wong and Law were convicted of unlawful assembly, while Chow was found guilty of inciting Hong Kong citizens to protest, during Hong Kong's 2014 pro-democracy demonstrations.

Wong and Law were sentenced to community service while Chow was given a three-week suspended sentence. However, last year, a court overturned their sentences after prosecutors argued they were too light for the alleged gravity of the crimes committed by the activists.

Read more: Is Hong Kong's 'one country, two systems' status in jeopardy?

'Critical juncture'

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers on Friday nominated the trio for the Nobel Peace Prize "in recognition of their peaceful efforts to bring political reform and self-determination to Hong Kong."

While Wong, Law and Chow said they were honored by the nomination, the activists warned that China has continued to undermine the democratic rights enshrined by Hong Kong's Basic Law, which sets various democratic targets for Hong Kong. The "one country, two systems" deal was negotiated as the UK handed its former territory to China in 1997.

At the direction of Beijing, the Hong Kong administration has "criminalized people for their speech, deprived people of their right to stand in elections, ousted elected lawmakers and punished dissenters by jailing them," the activists said in a statement.

"At this critical juncture, we need to join hands with the international community and together defend Hong Kong as a bridgehead for democratic movements."

Democracy under pressure

In 2014, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets to rally for democratic reforms, including choosing Hong Kong's leader.

China agreed that year to allow residents to vote for their next leader. However, under Beijing's deal, the candidates would be vetted by an election committee largely comprising pro-China members. Protesters say this diminishes the value of their elections.

Last year, Hong Kong's election committee chose Carrie Lam to lead the city-state, making her the first female leader since British colonial control ended. She was widely billed as Beijing's top pick for the position.

ls/msh (dpa, AFP)