The League of Social Democrats, one of the last significant pro-democracy factions in Hong Kong, officially declared its disbandment on Sunday, a move reflecting the intense crackdown on political dissent in the region. Current and former members of the party gathered in their office, where Chinese characters symbolizing freedom were arranged using court admission slips, and spoke uniformly into a microphone connected to a loudspeaker. They stood in front of a banner emblazoned with the words "rather be ashes than dust."
Founded approximately 20 years ago, the League has garnered a reputation as one of the last protest groups remaining actively vocal against government policies in Hong Kong. Chairperson Chan Po Ying articulated the reasons for the party's dissolution, emphasizing the overwhelming pressure they faced. “The red lines are now everywhere,” she lamented, acknowledging that the current political environment has forced the party into this difficult decision.
This disbandment marks the third significant opposition party to dissolve this year, raising alarms about the diminishing spaces for dissent in Hong Kong. The League, known for orchestrating street protests, announced their closure after "careful deliberation," aiming to mitigate possible repercussions faced by their members. Coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the controversial national security law imposed by Beijing, the party's timing raises questions about the ongoing impact of this legislation.
In a formal statement, the League reflected on nearly two decades of struggles, documenting the internal conflicts and the severe imprisonment of its leadership within an atmosphere characterized by a relentless erosion of civil liberties and increasing suppression of dissent. The national security law, a response to the widespread unrest of 2019, was ostensibly designed to restore order, but five years later, observers argue it has primarily functioned to stifle political opposition.
A Chinese official previously noted the continued presence of “hostile forces” disrupting the stability in the city, further illustrating the challenging dynamics faced by activists. The law criminalizes offenses like subversion, and subsequent regulations have expanded its reach, marking 2024 as a significant year for hostile legislative actions against political dissenters.
Vice-chairman Dickson Chau highlighted the increasingly dire situation for political activism in Hong Kong. He expressed his belief that it had become perilous to operate political parties, indicating that the scope for exercising political rights has dwindled dramatically. Chau also recounted obstacles faced by party members, including the closure of bank accounts and the imprisonment of fellow activists, adding to the somber picture of dissent across the city.
As Chau poignantly remarked, the absence of meaningful political organization breeds a culture where collective voices might be forgotten, symbolizing a catastrophic shift in the Hong Kong political landscape. With everyday citizens now contemplating the repercussions of asserting their rights, the struggle for political expression in the territory continues to face suffocating realities amid the backdrop of the national security law.
