Politics · Other · 4 hrs ago
US condemns 12½-year sentence for Macau pro-democracy activist
The United States condemned the sentencing of Au Kam San, a pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker in Macau, a Chinese territory.
Au, 69, was sentenced to 12½ years in prison on Nov 6 after being convicted of subversion and other offences.
His case was the first conviction under Macau’s National Security Law, which was enacted in 2009 and strengthened in 2023.
Au had helped organize annual vigils for victims of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown in Beijing.
Macau and neighbouring Hong Kong were once the only places on Chinese soil where people could publicly mourn those killed.
The European Union and the United Nations’ human rights office criticized the case, while China’s top diplomat in Macau said the rulings were beyond reproach and outside interference would fail.
The United States strongly condemned the sentencing of Macau pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker Au Kam San to 12½ years in prison.
Au was convicted of subversion and other offences on Nov 6.
His case was the first conviction under Macau’s National Security Law.
The trial was held behind closed doors and wrapped up in three days.
Macau’s top Chinese diplomat rejected outside criticism, saying the rulings were beyond reproach.
- Who
- Au Kam San, a pro-democracy activist and former Macau lawmaker.
- What
- He was sentenced to 12½ years in prison after being convicted of subversion and other offences.
- When
- Nov 6; he was arrested in July 2025.
- Where
- Macau, a Chinese territory.
- Why
- He was convicted of subversion and other offences. The sources do not give further details of the charges.
United States
Macau authorities
Condemnation
United States
The US said the sentencing was an example of Beijing using national security powers to silence peaceful dissent.
Macau authorities
Macau authorities expressed strong opposition to what they called unfounded remarks by the EU and the UN rights office; China’s top diplomat in Macau said the rulings were beyond reproach.
Au was arrested.
Au was sentenced to 12½ years in prison after being convicted of subversion and other offences.
China’s top diplomat in Macau rejected outside interference in the territory’s rulings.
The US consulate for Hong Kong and Macau criticised Au’s prosecution.
- Sentence
- 12½ years in prison
- Conviction
- Subversion and other offences
- Sentencing date
- Nov 6
- Age
- 69
- National Security Law
- First conviction under Macau’s law
- Trial
- Closed-door proceedings wrapped up in three days
What people are saying
another example of Beijing’s use of sweeping national security powers to silence peaceful political dissent and suppress fundamental freedoms
beyond reproach, and external interference is doomed to failure
strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the unfounded remarks made