On November 19, 2024, Hong Kong's High Court sentenced 45 pro-democracy leaders to prison terms ranging from 4 to 10 years, a decision that has drawn widespread international condemnation.
This ruling is part of the enforcement of a national security law imposed by Beijing, which critics argue undermines the rule of law and civil liberties in the region.
International organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, along with officials from Canada, the UK, Australia, and the EU, have expressed alarm over the ruling. They stress the importance of protecting political freedoms and civil rights in Hong Kong amid growing concerns about the erosion of democracy.