Brussels, 29 August 2024
Today, 29 August, the District Court in Hong Kong found Chung Pui-kuen and Lam Shiu-tung, two former chief editors of the now-defunct independent online news outlet Stand News, as well as Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Limited, the holding company of Stand News, guilty of conspiring to publish and reproduce ‘seditious’ material. The maximum sentence is two years’ imprisonment.
This latest conviction is yet another sign of the dwindling space for press freedom, a fundamental right enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law. The ruling risks further inhibiting the pluralistic exchange of ideas and the free flow of information, both cornerstones of the economic success of Hong Kong.
As part of the legal proceedings, Chung Pui-kuen and Lam Shiu-tung were held under pre-trial detention for more than 300 days. The hearing of the trial lasted for a total of 57 days instead of the estimated 20 days.
The EU calls on the Hong Kong authorities to restore confidence in press freedom in Hong Kong and to stop prosecuting journalists. The preservation of free, independent and pluralistic media is vital for resilient and healthy societies.
Source – EEAS