10 nations urge end to 'unjust prosecutions' after Hong Kong activist sentenced

LONDON — Ten nations, including the United Kingdom, have called for an immediate end to unjust prosecutions under Hong Kong's laws after pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced to an additional ten years in prison. Wong, who is 30 years old, received the new sentence on Thursday for allegedly colluding with foreign powers following nearly six years in prison for subversion under Hong Kong's national security law, imposed by the Chinese government.

This law is being utilized to target individuals for their political expression. The joint statement from four European Union states, Japan, Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand urged an immediate halt to all unjust prosecutions and emphasized that China and Hong Kong should uphold their international commitments.

They also called for the Chinese authorities to respect the rights and freedoms guaranteed to Hong Kong's people under an internationally binding agreement signed by Britain and China prior to its 1997 handover. Known for his involvement in earlier protests in 2014, dubbed the Umbrella Movement, Wong has been a prominent figure in the ongoing struggle for democracy in Hong Kong.