TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Over 10 civil groups condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) charge against 47 Hong Kong activists at a press conference on Monday (Nov. 25).

On Nov. 19 the Hong Kong government sentenced to prison 45 activists under the National Security Law for “conspiring to subvert state power,” per CNA. The longest sentence was 10 years, and two of the 47 individuals were eventually acquitted, per Reuters.

The Peng Foundation, joined by the Taiwan-Hong Kong Association and other groups, chanted “Democracy for Hong Kong” and “One Country, Two Systems is a lie” to support activists. Additionally, they made three appeals:

• The CCP should immediately release the 45 sentenced individuals and all democracy activists who have faced unfair judicial trials.
• The CCP should immediately withdraw all political charges against Hong Kong democracy activists.
• The CCP should immediately repeal the National Security Law, implement genuine universal suffrage, and restore democracy in Hong Kong.

Peng Foundation for Culture and Education Director Lo Chun-xuan (羅浚晅) called the verdict a “death knell” of Hong Kong democracy, per RTI. He said it was the largest sentencing under the National Security Law.

Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Secretary-General Lo Wen-jia (羅文嘉) said the sentence proves the failure of the “one country, two systems” principle.