Moolenaar Statement on Joshua Wong's Sentencing

A Hong Kong court controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong on concocted charges of foreign collusion under the CCP’s sweeping National Security Law. The CCP previously brought the charges citing Wong’s meetings with Americans and other foreign politicians, where they allege he engaged in “hostile activities” against Hong Kong and China.

"Joshua Wong is a hero who has stood up to an authoritarian superpower. Joshua only pleaded guilty to the baseless charge of foreign collusion because of the CCP’s systematic erosion of Hong Kong's judicial independence. In return, the CCP has effectively sentenced him under its repressive National Security Law. This is a shameless display of the CCP’s complete disregard for the universal human rights of life and liberty endowed to all of us by our Creator. Joshua and Hong Kong need the international community's support now more than ever. He should be immediately released and reunited with his family,” said Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China.

Earlier this month, Moolenaar honored Joshua Wong and sponsored him for the Defending Freedoms Project (DFP) at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in Congress. The DFP supports international prisoners of conscience who are unjustly imprisoned for their identity, beliefs, or peaceful expression.