Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters around the world obscure their identity to avoid prosecution. Leaders of these movements often chose to be the face of government opposition, risking their freedom. These four activists from Thailand and Hong Kong are now facing the consequences of leading pro-democracy movements in their countries.
Joshua Wong, 24, Hong Kong
At just 24-years-old, Joshua Wong has become one of the highest profile leaders in the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
He will spend more than a year in jail over protests outside of a police headquarters in June last year.
Wong admitted to organising the unauthorised protest and said he expected to be jailed for his involvement. The protest was part of Hong Kong’s now historic pro-democracy protests last year, which saw millions march against an extradition bill and China’s influence over Hong Kong.
He will spend a total of 13 and a half months in jail for organising and inciting others to attend an unlawful assembly outside the police headquarters.
Joshua Wong (L), Ivan Lam (C), and Agnes Chow (R) arrive at the West Kowloon Law Courts building last month. Source: SIPA USA
The judge, Wong Sze-lai, took the prior records of Wong into account and said jail time was the only appropriate option in order to deter others.
“The court has considered that the offending period of the three defendants lasted for around 15 minutes and all the facts of the case, including that they committed the offence in a joint enterprise under the prevailing circumstances of increasing incidents of social unrest and large scale public protests, which in the court’s view, made the case more serious,” the judge said.
It will be Wong’s third time in jail for unauthorised protests in the last decade.
Many protesters and activists involved in the procemodracy movement hid their identity knowing the risk of imprisonment.
Agnes Chow, 23, Hong Kong
Chow was charged with incitement and attending protests. The 23-year-old was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment.
Like Joshua Wong, Chow was a leader of the pro-democracy group Demosisto, which disbanded in June after China imposed its national security law on Hong Kong. The group said they were concerned about the persecution of its activists.
Chow was also arrested in August under the national security law, on the vague suspicion of “colluding with foreign forces”. She is one of 31 people arrested under the new laws, which punishes anything China considers subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.
Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam face charges related to the besieging of a police station during anti-government protests last year. Source: AP
Chow ran for the 2018 Hong Kong by-elections, renouncing her British nationality as a requirement of Hong Kong law. She began a YouTube channel in February 2020, where she blogs in Cantonese and Japanese, and has over 300,000 subscribers.
Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, 22, Thailand
Twenty-two year old Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, who's known by her nickname Rung, spent 16 days in jail on charges related to her prominent role at several anti- government and anti-monarchy protests in Bangkok since July.
Rung had been leading the pro-democracy movement, which also criticised Thai Royals, a crime in Thailand under their lèse-majesté law.
While leading the protests, Rung read out a 10-point reform manifesto aimed at curbing the Thai King’s wealth and power, which are now infamous.
Run was released on bail, but is at risk of being sentenced to serve more prison time or be charged with more offenses.
Student Union of Thailand spokesperson Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul reads the list of demands to reform the monarchy. Source: Getty Images
In November, Nitipong Hornak, a songwriter and judge on Thailand’s Got Talent, made a lèse-majesté complaint against Rung.
Police have summoned leaders of the protest movement, including Rung, to face lèse-majesté charges. It will be the first time such charges have been brought under lèse-majesté laws, which cover insults to the royal family, in more than two years. Anyone found guilty faces up to 15 years in prison.
Parit Chiwarak, 22, Thailand
Twenty-two year old Parit Chiwarak, also known as Penguin, is Rung’s counterpart in leading the anti-government movement in Thailand.
The university student became politically active when he was 16, becoming a leader in the Education for Liberation of Siam (ELS) group, a progressive student group campaigning for education reform.
Like Rung, Penguin has spent time in jail on charges for protests earlier this year, he was released on bail. The university student now faces lèse-majesté charges.
Parit Penguin Chiwarak, and Panusaya Rung Sithijirawattanakul raising up their three-finger salute with their supporters. Source: AAP
"We may lose our freedom .. I want all of you to come and witness any injustice that might occur tomorrow at Nonthaburi police station," Penguin posted on his Facebook page before going to the police station on their summons.
