A court in the Chinese territory Macau sentenced on Friday ex-lawmaker and democracy campaigner Au Kam San to 12 years and six months in prison for subversion and other offences. Au, 69, is the first person convicted under national security …
So, it’s official: Macau has entered the national security trial arena with a bang—or should I say, with a prison sentence? Former lawmaker Au Kam-san was recently sentenced to 12½ years in the slammer, marking a milestone as the city’s first national security trial. It’s a bit like winning a dubious prize at a carnival, but instead of a stuffed animal, you get a hefty prison sentence. Yay?
Au, at the ripe age of 69, was convicted on five out of seven charges, including subversion of state power and, wait for it, establishing links with foreign groups. Sounds like something out of a spy novel, right? But no, this was all related to his participation in annual vigils commemorating the Tiananmen Square crackdown. You know, the kind of event that’s supposed to honor those who lost their lives, but apparently in Macau, it’s a one-way ticket to a lengthy prison stay.
To add a sprinkle of drama to this legal saga, Au was detained back in July 2023 and faced a trial that was held behind closed doors. Because nothing says fair trial like a secretive court session! It’s like they were trying to keep the whole thing under wraps, as if it were a surprise birthday party gone wrong. Spoiler alert: the guest of honor isn’t coming back.
The laws under which Au was convicted were expanded in 2023, making it clear that Macau is taking a hardline approach to dissent. Perhaps they’re trying to send a message that speaking out or even remembering past tragedies will not be tolerated. Because, let’s be honest, who needs freedom of speech when you can have a cozy jail cell instead?
Three major news outlets—South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, and Deutsche Welle—have reported on this case, highlighting that this isn’t just a local story but one that resonates internationally. It raises questions about the future of political expression in Macau and whether anyone else will dare to light a candle for the Tiananmen Square victims after witnessing Au’s fate.
So, what can we take away from all of this? Well, if you’re in Macau and thinking of holding a vigil, you might want to reconsider. Perhaps a quieter hobby, like knitting or extreme ironing, would be a safer bet. After all, it seems that remembering history has become a risky business in this part of the world.
In conclusion, while Au Kam-san is facing a long stretch in prison, the rest of us are left wondering just how far the national security laws will stretch in the future. Will we see more trials like this? Will vigils become a relic of the past? Only time will tell, and while we wait, let’s just hope that the only thing we’re subverting is our expectations for a brighter, freer future.
Inspired by: “12½ years’ jail for ex-Macau lawmaker Au Kam-san in city’s first national security trial” (r/World)