Exiled Hongkongers living in Taiwan are among the many activists and leaders around the world who have condemned the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong under the territory's national security law imposed by Beijing.
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00:00Why should Hong Kongers be held accountable?
00:03We are Hong Kongers.
00:05A mother reacts to news that her son's been sentenced for political crimes in Hong Kong.
00:10He's one of a group of convicted pro-democracy activists known as the Hong Kong 47,
00:15all but two of whom were given four to ten years in prison.
00:19Here in Taipei, exiled Hong Kongers gathered to condemn the decisions.
00:24They say it's a devastating blow to the Hong Kong democracy movement.
00:28If we don't defend our freedom and democracy,
00:33it's possible that tomorrow will be like Hong Kong,
00:38and we won't be able to hold a memorial service.
00:41The sentencing further solidified the fear amongst the citizens of Hong Kong,
00:48and I think the Chinese Communist Party are very happy about that.
00:55The Hong Kong activists were charged under a national security law imposed by Beijing
01:00that criminalizes a wide range of political activities.
01:04The crimes in this case related to an unofficial primary election
01:08to choose candidates for the territory's 2020 election.
01:12It's not only Hong Kongers living abroad that have condemned the sentencing of the 45 activists.
01:18Statements from the United Nations Human Rights Office to leaders from around the world
01:22have all raised concerns about the decision.
01:25Taiwan's presidential office has also condemned the sentencing,
01:28saying democracy is no crime, and citing the case as proof
01:32that the one country, two systems model proposed for both Hong Kong and Taiwan is not viable.
01:38The U.S. has also slammed what it calls the unjust sentencing
01:42and said it was imposing new visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials.
01:46And international organizations have weighed in as well.
01:50We are gravely concerned by the use of the security laws
01:54and the breadth to criminalize conduct protected by human rights
01:58to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
02:03Officials from both Hong Kong and China have defended the sentences,
02:07saying they protect national security.
02:10Despite the outcome, pro-democracy activists say they're standing strong.
02:14We're not giving up on democracy.
02:17As long as we don't give up on it, we'll still have democracy.
02:20We know that many people choose not to plead guilty in the trial.
02:25This is also a form of resistance.
02:28Showing that the sentences, though a blow to the movement, may not be its end.
02:34Hank Hsu and Chris Gorin for Taiwan Plus.