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CFHK Foundation Advocates Testify in UK Parliament on Jimmy Lai, Call for Robust Response to Hong Kong 47 Sentencing

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Ambassador James Cunningham, Chairman of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation testified at the UK Parliament before a new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs. He urged the British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to demand a visit with British citizen Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong.  


Ambassador Cunningham highlighted that Jimmy Lai has spent almost four years in solitary confinement and that he is not receiving all the medical attention he needs for his diabetes. Cunnigham said: “New leaders coming into government in the UK, U.S., and the EU should cooperate more in trying to secure the freedom of Jimmy Lai and other political prisoners.” 


CFHK Chairman Ambassador James Cunningham (left) testifies alongside Lord Chris Patten of Barnes.


The CFHK Foundation, Hong Kong Watch, and the Hong Kong Democracy Council issued a joint statement urging global finance executives to withdraw from the Hong Kong Global Financial Summit, which will take place at the same time as the sentencing of most of the Hong Kong 47 on November 19, and the restart of Jimmy Lai’s trial proceedings the following day. 

By attending and sharing the stage with sanctioned Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and other high-ranking officials, 68 executives from 54 major global finance firms risk signalling an endorsement of Hong Kong's authoritarian regime at a time of heightened global scrutiny.  

 

The CFHK Foundation issued a statement calling for U.S. and UK leaders to ready a coordinated and sharp response to the expected sentencing of the Hong Kong 47 on November 19. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should make clear that new sanctions on Hong Kong officials and other robust measures, including the shuttering of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices, will be the consequence should the political prisoners receive harsh prison terms. 


Hong Kong


A 57-year-old man was charged under Hong Kong’s national security law for allegedly publishing “seditious posts” on social media and inciting hatred and violence towards “the Central Authorities and Hong Kong Government.” Under Article 23, the maximum penalty for sedition was raised to seven years in jail, up from two years previously.  


Hong Kong’s Democratic Party Chairman Lo Kin-hei said members of his party, as well as their families, have been subject to harassment in the run-up to an internal election. Lo, who has also been targeted, said that the harassment has lasted for months and takes place across a variety of mediums, including “email, letters, or WhatsApp.”  


UK - Hong Kong


The CFHK Foundation organised a panel discussion hosted by Blair McDougall MP at the UK Parliament, focusing on Jimmy Lai, media freedom, and the impacts of Hong Kong’s crackdown on press freedom. The speakers were Ambassador James Cunningham, Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, Jodie Ginsberg, CEO at Committee to Protect Journalists, and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, leader of Jimmy Lai’s international legal team. 


Jodie Ginsberg, Ambassador James Cunningham, Blair McDougall MP, Sebastien Lai, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC (left to right)


Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, the Hong Kong Executive Council Member instrumental in the conception of Hong Kong’s draconian Article 23 national security legislation, has just concluded an extended visit to London “at the invitation of the Government of the UK and the British business sector.” 


The CFHK Foundation condemned Ip’s visit and called on the UK government to follow the lead of the U.S. and revoke all diplomatic privileges and immunities extended to the London Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), now that Hong Kong’s special autonomous status has been revoked.   


Jimmy Lai’s Trial Update


Jimmy Lai's trial is expected to resume on November 20, 2024. Lai is expected to take the stand.  

Lai has been imprisoned for over 1,400 days on National Security Law charges. His ongoing national security trial only began after he had been held for three years and has been characterised by its sluggish pace. Proceedings were expected to be completed this past spring; instead, the defence has not even started to present its evidence. The CFHK Foundation condemns this appalling delay, one which clearly illustrates the erosion of the rule of law in Hong Kong.  


Detailed trial updates available here: Support Jimmy Lai 


🔥Flame of Freedom Blog


Witnessing Advocacy in Action: My First Week with the CFHK Foundation in London 


This blog is authored by David Green, Head of Communications at the CFHK Foundation  


“I was struck by the power of Sebastien Lai’s testimony, and the passionate advocacy of those around him. In the words of the tireless campaigner Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, who leads Jimmy Lai’s international legal team: “We can all be more [like] Jimmy and stand up to bullies. He is brave. Sebastien is brave. We all have to be brave, or a British citizen will die in prison simply for standing up for the values we all care about.” 


Read more here.  


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