Human Rights First Condemns Sentencing of Albert Ho, Hong Kong Human Rights Defender

NEW YORK — Today, recipient of Human Rights First’s 2020 Roger Baldwin Medal of Liberty and Hong Kong pro-democracy advocate Albert Ho was given a suspended sentence of 12 months in prison for his involvement in a 2019 pro-democracy march in Hong Kong.

He was one of seven experienced activists given prison sentences today, some suspended, for their part in peaceful protests in 2019.

Human Rights First Senior Advisor Brian Dooley released the following statement in response to the Hong Kong government’s sentencing of Albert Ho.

“Nothing cements Hong Kong’s new reputation for authoritarianism better than its jailing of veteran human rights defenders. Albert Ho is known across the world for his decades of work as a human rights lawyer, and now the Hong Kong authorities will be famous for attacking their peaceful dissidents. The city’s human rights record is now in tatters, and we will keep reminding the international media that Albert and the others have been sentenced for exercising their rights.

“Albert stands as an icon of principle for people in Hong Kong, young and old, rich and poor. Today’s sentencing guarantees his reputation will be greatly  enhanced, and that of Hong Kong’s leaders horribly diminished.”

It is possible that the government of Hong Kong will appeal the sentence.