SW News: Beijing’s unbridled stifling of freedom of expression in Hong Kong continues as it drives one nail after the other into the coffin of democracy in the former British colony. A court in the city that is ruled by a pro-Beijing government has convicted Catholic philanthropist and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai and two others for taking part in the banned Tiananmen Square vigil last year.

The vigil commemorates the bloody massacre of unarmed young protesters in the Chinese capital on June 4, 1989. Under the guise of curbing the spread of the pandemic, Hong Kong authorities had banned the gathering last year. They were swift to crack down on protesters who defied the ban and took part in the candle-light vigil. More than 20 activists and leaders were charged with flouting the ban.

Sixteen others had already been convicted for the same charge and they were given sentences ranging from four to 10 months in jail.

Lai, who owned the now-defunct pro-democracy Apple Daily, former journalist Gwyneth Ho, and renowned human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung had pleaded not guilty, challenging the charge in court. During the argument, they said that they only lit candles and did not incite others to take part in the vigil. But the arguments were dismissed by District Court Judge Amanda Woodcock, who said that they were nothing but nonsensical. In her verdict, she said that the trio committed an act of defiance and protest against the police.

Amnesty International has criticized the verdict, saying it is the latest assault on the right to freedom of expression and assembly in Hong Kong. Beijing’s national security law for Hong Kong that was passed in June last year has stifled several freedoms enjoyed by its residents ever since Britain handed over the city to China in 1997 with the promise of a one-country two-government policy for the financial hub. But the new security law enables Beijing to effectively quell any dissent and muffle freedom of speech. The law can be used to prosecute rights activists and journalists by charging them with colluding with foreign powers to undermine the local government or accusing them of engaging in subversive activities.