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Hong Kong's last pro-democracy political party disbands citing ‘tremendous political pressure’

July 1, 2025

The League of Social Democrats (LSD), one of Hong Kong's last pro-democracy groups, announced its disbandment on June 29, 2025, after 19 years of operation, citing "tremendous political pressure. " The dissolution came on the eve of the fifth anniversary of Beijing's 2020 security law, adding the LSD to dozens of political parties, labor unions, and civil society groups that have disbanded since the law's enactment. Chair Chan Po-ying could not elaborate further on the specific reasons behind the decision during the press conference.

Who is affected

  • Members of the League of Social Democrats
  • Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement supporters
  • Marginalized communities previously advocated for by LSD (migrant workers, refugees, LGBTQ+ community, and labor groups)
  • Hong Kong citizens who supported democratic opposition
  • Imprisoned former LSD chair "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung and other detained democracy activists

What action is being taken

  • The League of Social Democrats is formally disbanding after 19 years
  • Chan Po-ying and Leung Kwok-hung are continuing with their respective legal appeals despite the party's dissolution
  • Authorities are maintaining surveillance and harassment of pro-democracy organizations according to Amnesty Hong Kong Overseas Section
  • National Security Department is summoning members of such groups for "reminders" not to organize demonstrations before sensitive dates

Why it matters

  • The LSD's disbandment represents the loss of one of Hong Kong's last remaining pro-democracy voices
  • It follows similar dissolutions of the Civic Party and Democratic Party, signaling the continued erosion of organized political opposition in Hong Kong
  • The closure reflects the ongoing impact of the 2020 Beijing-imposed security law on civil society and political pluralism in Hong Kong
  • The group's disbandment highlights the "narrowing road" for dissent in Hong Kong, as described in their final statement

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices

Hong Kong's last pro-democracy political party disbands citing ‘tremendous political pressure’