Hong Kong: Claudia Mo Coerced to Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Charges
Plea is distressing reflection of the escalating crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous city
Location: Hong Kong
Date: August 18, 2022
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in unwavering solidarity with Claudia Mo, a distinguished journalist and former lawmaker in Hong Kong, who was coerced into pleading guilty to charges of "conspiracy to commit subversion" under Beijing's draconian national security law. Her prolonged detention and subsequent guilty plea highlight the oppressive measures employed by Beijing to stifle any form of opposition and suppress journalistic independence. As Hong Kong approaches the trial of the 47 activists, we call on the international community to stand against these egregious violations of human rights and press freedoms. We must ensure that the voices of Claudia Mo and her compatriots are not silenced and that the principles of justice and liberty prevail.
Claudia Mo, a prominent journalist and lawmaker in Hong Kong, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to charges of "conspiracy to commit subversion" under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. This marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous city.
Mo, who has been a vocal critic of Beijing’s increasing control over Hong Kong, was among the 47 activists and politicians arrested in January 2021, including journalist Gwyneth Ho. The charges stem from their participation in an informal primary election held in July 2020, which authorities allege was part of a broader plan to undermine the government.
The 65-year-old has been in detention since her arrest. In a letter shared by a friend last August, Mo described teaching English to fellow inmates and drawing strength from her Christian faith. “I may be stumbling but not falling,” she wrote, a reflection of her enduring spirit despite the harsh conditions of her imprisonment.
The guilty plea is expected to expedite the legal proceedings against Mo and her co-defendants, many of whom have also been charged with subversion. The group, dubbed the "Hong Kong 47," faces potential life sentences if convicted. Their trial, set to begin later this year, is widely regarded as a litmus test for the future of Hong Kong’s judicial independence.
The national security law, which criminalizes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, has been criticized by human rights groups and Western governments for undermining the freedoms promised to Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” framework. This arrangement was supposed to guarantee a high degree of autonomy to the city until 2047.
Mo’s legal troubles began in the wake of the 2019 pro-democracy protests, which saw millions take to the streets in opposition to a controversial extradition bill. The protests, which sometimes turned violent, were met with a severe response from the authorities. Over 10,000 people were arrested, and many, like Mo, have been prosecuted under the new security measures.
Born in 1957 to parents who fled communist China, Mo’s political activism was ignited by the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, which she covered as a journalist. She later co-founded the Civic Party and was elected to the Legislative Council, where she served until her resignation in 2020 in protest against Beijing's tightening grip.
As Hong Kong prepares for the trial of the 47, the city stands at a crossroads. The outcome will not only determine the fate of its most prominent pro-democracy figures but also the future of its autonomy and freedoms.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on the international community to stand with Claudia Mo, Gwyneth Ho, and the Hong Kong 47. It is crucial to advocate for their release and challenge the oppressive measures that stifle dissent and undermine the principles of justice and freedom.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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