Polarising Opinions on the 45 Verdicts

These pro-democracy activists are either jailed or in exile

After the verdicts for the 45 pro-democracy activists, politicians and academics were read out, many human rights organisations and western governments spoke out about the judgments.

US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement on Tuesday that the 45 defendants had been "aggressively prosecuted." They now face "life-altering imprisonment" for their peaceful participation in political activities which are protected under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, he said.

Tai was sentenced to 10 years in prison

Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement: "Running in an election and trying to win it is now a crime that can lead to a decade in prison in Hong Kong. Today's harsh sentences against dozens of prominent democracy activists reflect just how fast Hong Kong's civil liberties and judicial independence have nosedived in the past four years since the Chinese government imposed the draconian National Security Law on the city.

"But while the Chinese and Hong Kong governments have now significantly raised the costs for promoting democracy in Hong Kong, they will not be able to extinguish Hong Kong people's decades-long struggle for freedoms."

However, the Hong Kong government said the verdicts and prison terms imposed by the High Court were supported by "irrefutable evidence", and that foreign governments including the United States, the European Union, Australia and Canada, "anti-China organisations", and foreign media had "turned a blind eye to the facts"and made "exaggerated remarks" about the trial that lasted 118 days.

"Any reasonable and fair person, upon reviewing the court's judgment, would be convinced of the severity of the crime and the guilt of the convicted individuals, supported by irrefutable evidence. Despite these ironclad facts, Western countries, anti-China organisations and politicians, and foreign media continue to distort the truth and maliciously attack," the government's statement read.

Two vastly different opinions about the verdicts and that polarisation will continue...