August/September 2026 – On 21 August 2026, the High Court of Hong Kong convicted trade union leader and labour activist Lee Cheuk-yan and human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung of incitement to subversion. On 11 September, Lee was sentenced to seven years, while Chow received seven years and three months.

Lee is a founder and leader of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), Hong Kong’s largest independent trade union confederation. The HKCTU, a former IFWEA affiliate, was forced to disband in 2021 following the introduction of the NSL.

Lee and Chow were also leaders of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance, which organised Hong Kong’s annual vigil commemorating those killed during the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing.

The convictions drew condemnation from governments including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as international human rights organisations, which called for the activists’ release. The case has renewed international attention on the use of Hong Kong’s National Security Law against civil society and political activists.

Labourstart has initiated a campaign to call for the release of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung. You can access the campaign here.