US condemns 12-year jail sentence for Macau pro-democracy activist

The United States has strongly condemned the 12-and-a-half year jail sentence handed to pro-democracy activist and former Macau lawmaker Au Kam San. Convicted of subversion and other offenses, Au was the first individual to be convicted under Macau's National Security Law, enacted in 2009 and tightened in 2023. The trial, which concluded in just three days, took place behind closed doors.

Au, 69 and arrested in July 2025, had co-organized annual vigils for victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. The US consulate for Hong Kong and Macau labeled Au's prosecution as another instance of Beijing using national security laws to suppress peaceful political dissent and fundamental freedoms. The European Union and the United Nations also criticized the trial, with the UN expressing deep concern over the harsh penalties imposed, noting that Au was not represented by counsel of his choice.

China's top diplomat in Macau dismissed the criticism, asserting that Macau's rulings were "beyond reproach" and warning that external interference would fail. Macau authorities also expressed strong dissatisfaction with the EU and UN statements, with one local media outlet reporting that Au remained calm throughout the proceedings.