Trial of Hong Kong Alliance leaders was due to be held next month

Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan have been held in pre-trial detention for over 1,500 days without being convicted

‘The authorities’ attempt to use prolonged detention as a tool of oppression to isolate and suppress dissent - Luk Chi-man

The trial of activists Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan, and Chow Hang-tung - former chairpeople and vice-chairpeople of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China - has been postponed for a second time according to the territory’s judiciary website.

Originally due to begin in May this year, it was postponed until 11 November and, according to the latest information, is being delayed again until 22 January 2026.   

Luk Chi-man, Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas’ Executive Director, said:    

“Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan have been held in pre-trial detention for over 1,500 days without being convicted, reflecting the authorities’ attempt to use prolonged detention as a tool of oppression to isolate and suppress dissent over an extended period.  

“Under international human rights law and standards, as well as the principle of presumption of innocence, pre-trial detention should not become the norm. The Government also has a responsibility to ensure that those in custody awaiting trial are brought to court within a reasonable time. 

“However, the National Security Law uses the vaguely defined ‘endangering national security’ as a pretext to systematically deny defendants the right to bail, seriously undermining their right to a fair trial.

"More importantly, freedom of expression is a human right. Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan should never have been arrested and prosecuted for commemorating 4 June and seeking historical truth. The Hong Kong government must immediately drop the charges and release both of them."

Held for ‘incitement of subversion’

In September 2021, Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan, and Chow Hang-tung, the former chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China were charged under the National Security Law for ‘incitement of subversion’.  Amnesty has found that the presumption against bail under the National Security Law has become the norm, while the duration of pre-trial detention can also serve as an indicator the violation of human rights.