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Human rights

Hong Kong's Erosion of Democracy and Human Rights Under China's Rule

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, which began around 2019, has been steadily dismantled by the Chinese government. The implementation of the National Security Law (NSL) in 2020 has left Hongkongers without freedoms, with many arrested, jailed, and persecuted for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The city's once-thriving civil society is now crippled, with many organizations, including the League of Social Democrats, forced to disband or go into silence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Chinese government has systematically dismantled Hong Kong's democracy and human rights over the past five years, imposing harsh restrictions on freedoms and eroding civil liberties.
  • At least 1,940 people are currently imprisoned in Hong Kong for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, with over 300 arrested under the draconian NSL.
  • The Hong Kong government has banned June Fourth candlelight vigils, a symbol of remembrance for victims of the Tiananmen Massacre, and lighting a candle is now a criminalized act.
  • The League of Social Democrats, Hong Kong's last functioning pro-democracy party, was forcibly disbanded in June 2025.
  • Over 90 labor unions, churches, student organizations, and community associations have been dissolved or intimidated into silence.
  • The Hong Kong government has tightened its prison rules, allowing authorities to bar lawyer and chaplain visits on vague grounds related to national security.
  • The U.S. must respond with moral clarity and strategic commitment to prioritize human rights as a core principle of U.S. foreign policy and press for the Hong Kong government to drop all criminal charges against and release prisoners of conscience.

Statistics:

  • Around 3,300 prisoners of conscience exist globally, with 1,940 of them in Hong Kong.
  • Over 300 people have been arrested under the National Security Law (NSL).
  • At least 15 people were arrested under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) in March 2024.
  • The Hong Kong government has spent over HKD 100 million (USD 12.8 million) on enforcing the NSL since its implementation in 2020.

Sources:

  • "Hong Kong: Prisoner of Conscience Jimmy Lai Must Be Released as National Security Trial Resumes." Amnesty International, December 6, 2024. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/11/hong-kong-prisoner-of-conscience-jimmy-lai-must-be-released-as-national-security-trial-resumes/
  • "Hong Kong: Overturning of Chow Hang-Tung Tiananmen Acquittal Another Blow to Rule of Law." Amnesty International, January 31, 2024. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/01/hong-kong-overturning-of-chow-hang-tung-tiananmen-acquittal-another-blow-to-rule-of-law/
  • "Hong Kong Political Prisoners." HKDC, June 11, 2025. https://www.hkdc.us/hong-kong-political-prisoners
  • "Hong Kong: Human Rights Update as of July 2024." Amnesty International, July 25, 2024. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa17/8362/2024/en/
  • "Wanted Persons and Reward Notices of National Security Cases." Hong Kong Police Force, 2023. https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/06_appeals_public/nsc/detail.html?id=20230011

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