In July, the High Court disqualified four elected pro-democracy legislators − Nathan Law, Leung Kwok-hung, Lau Siu-lai and Yiu Chung-yim − for failing to meet the requirements specified in the National People’s Congress Standing Committee’s interpretation of the Hong Kong Basic Law when they took their oaths of office in October 2016. In August, the Court of Appeal sentenced Joshua Wong, Alex Chow and Nathan Law to six, seven and eight months’ imprisonment respectively for their part in a student-led demonstration in September 2014 which triggered the Umbrella Movement. Joshua Wong and Alex Chow had been found guilty in 2016 of “taking part in an unlawful assembly” and Nathan Law of “inciting others to take part in an unlawful assembly”. A magistrates’ court originally ordered community service or suspended sentences but prosecutors successfully appealed, seeking harsher penalties.10 Joshua Wong and Nathan Law were released on bail in October and Alex Chow in November pending their appeals. The District Court sentenced seven police officers to two years’ imprisonment in February for assaulting protester Ken Tsang during the Umbrella Movement protests. After the sentencing, China’s state mouthpieces initiated an orchestrated campaign attacking Hong Kong’s judiciary. Appeals were pending at year end. RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX PEOPLE In April, the Court of First Instance ruled that the government’s refusal to extend work benefits to the same-sex husband of a civil servant was discrimination based on sexual orientation. In September, the Court of Appeal ruled that the Immigration Department’s refusal to grant a dependant visa to the same-sex civil partner of a foreign professional on a work visa was discriminatory. The government appealed against the decisions in both cases. 130 MACAO SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION In August, the Macao government stopped four Hong Kong journalists from entering Macao to report on the destruction and clean-up work of Typhoon Hato, which media reported caused 10 deaths. In December, Macao’s legislature voted to suspend prodemocracy lawmaker Sulu Sou and to remove his legislative immunity. He was elected in September and charged in November for taking part in a May 2016 peaceful protest against Macao’s Chief Executive. 1. China: Submission on the draft “National Intelligence Law” (ASA 17/6412/2017) 2. China: Submission on the draft “Supervision Law” (ASA 17/7553/2017) 3. Liu Xiaobo: A giant of human rights who leaves a lasting legacy for China and the world (Press release, 13 July) 4. Further information: China − lawyer on bail remains under tight surveillance: Xie Yang (ASA 17/6307/2017) 5. China: Taiwanese activist sentenced to five years in jail (Press release) 6. Why China must scrap new laws that tighten the authorities’ grip on religious practice (News story, 31 August) 7. China’s deadly secrets (ASA 17/5849/2017) 8. China: Disclose the whereabouts of two Tibetans who attempted selfimmolation (ASA 17/6098/2017) 9. China: Uighur woman incommunicado after secret trial – Buzainafu Abudourexiti (ASA 17/7168/2017) 10. Hong Kong: Freedom of expression under attack as scores of peaceful protesters face “chilling” prosecutions (News story, 26 September) COLOMBIA Republic of Colombia Head of state and government: Juan Manuel Santos Calderón The civilian population, especially Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant and peasant farmer communities, and human rights defenders, continued to be the main victims of the ongoing armed conflict. Although official figures indicated that there was a decrease in the number of civilians killed in military actions involving Amnesty International Report 2017/18