National security law: scholars, legal experts warn ‘Liberate Hong Kong’ slogan ‘very risky’ in wake of secession conviction

Ruling on popular protest slogan has broad implications for future trials, analysts say, amid debate on possibility of terrorism charge

Human rights advocates fear a chilling effect on free speech, arguing ruling leaves residents wondering ‘where the boundary is’

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Published: 7:00am, 29 Jul 2021Updated: 8:50am, 29 Jul 2021

People should avoid chanting or carrying items related to the controversial protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” publicly in future, as they could be violating the national security law, legal professionals and scholars have warned.

Scholars also argued that a criminal act was only connected to terrorism if the violent behaviour was committed in pursuit of a political agenda.

Their comments came after the High Court on Tuesday delivered a guilty verdict on Leon Tong Ying-kit – the first person to be tried under the new security law – for inciting secessionism and terrorism.

One of the key issues in the trial had been Tong’s display of a banner carrying the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” – popularised during the 2019 social unrest – when he rammed into police officers on his motorcycle.

The three-judge panel held that Tong, 24, had incited separatism by displaying the slogan when he roamed the streets during a July 1 rally in Wan Chai last year, a day after Beijing imposed the sweeping national security legislation on the city following months of anti-government protests.

Leon Tong was found guilty of inciting secession for flying a flag with the words ‘Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’ before driving his motorcycle into a group of police. Photo: Cable TV

The former restaurant worker had also caused great harm to society by inflicting grave injuries on the three police officers who had tried to block him after he ignored repeated warnings to stop, they ruled. Tong could face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

At the heart of the trial was the interpretation of the slogan, which was spray-painted on walls and chanted regularly during the 2019 protests. The verdict was closely watched for indications as to how similar cases would be dealt with in future.

National security law: scholars, legal experts warn ‘Liberate Hong Kong’ slogan ‘very risky’ in wake of secession conviction

Ruling on popular protest slogan has broad implications for future trials, analysts say, amid debate on possibility of terrorism charge Human rights advocates fear a chilling effect on free speech, arguing ruling leaves residents wondering ‘where the boundary is’

Ruling on popular protest slogan has broad implications for future trials, analysts say, amid debate on possibility of terrorism charge

Human rights advocates fear a chilling effect on free speech, arguing ruling leaves residents wondering ‘where the boundary is’