The unjust sentencing of 45 pro-democracy politicians and activists tarnishes the city.

A Hong Kong court last month sentenced 45 pro-democracy politicians and activists to prison terms ranging up to 10 years for the crime of conspiracy to commit subversion. The good news, if it can be called that, is that none of the accused were given the maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, and many received shorter sentences of just over four years and a few months. Many of these political prisoners -- and they are that, being held solely for their pro-democracy views -- have been in jail since they were arrested in February 2021, so many have already served most of their sentences. Two of the original 47 arrested were acquitted earlier.