PRESS RELEASE: Pro-democracy and human rights advocate Jimmy Lai awarded an honorary degree by the Catholic University of America
Thursday 19 May – Imprisoned Hong Kong human rights advocate and devout Catholic Jimmy Lai, has been awarded an honorary degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. this past weekend. This follows the egregious arrest of 90-year-old Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun who had baptised the Apple Daily and Next Digital founder in 1997.
Whist the 74-year-old Jimmy Lai remains incarcerated in a Hong Kong maximum security prison, his son, Sebastian Lai, accepted the award on his father’s behalf. On his father’s honour, Sebastian Lai stated: “I’m sure he’ll be very happy to receive this award, and I’m sure knowing that all these people are praying for him and knowing that all these people have the same thought towards freedom and freedom of religion, freedom of expression, will make him incredibly happy.”
The honour also serves as a reminder of the need to fight for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong and for the immediate unconditional release of political prisoners.
CFHK President Mark L. Clifford said:
“We thank the Catholic University of America for awarding an honorary degree to Jimmy Lai. This will remind the international community that Jimmy continues to be held for standing up for freedom of speech.
“With the arrest of 90-year-old Cardinal Zen, it is ever more vital for us to stand for freedom of speech and religion, and we welcome the Catholic community in standing up for these values.”
Whist the 74-year-old Jimmy Lai remains incarcerated in a Hong Kong maximum security prison, his son, Sebastian Lai, accepted the award on his father’s behalf. On his father’s honour, Sebastian Lai stated: “I’m sure he’ll be very happy to receive this award, and I’m sure knowing that all these people are praying for him and knowing that all these people have the same thought towards freedom and freedom of religion, freedom of expression, will make him incredibly happy.”
The honour also serves as a reminder of the need to fight for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong and for the immediate unconditional release of political prisoners.
CFHK President Mark L. Clifford said:
“We thank the Catholic University of America for awarding an honorary degree to Jimmy Lai. This will remind the international community that Jimmy continues to be held for standing up for freedom of speech.
“With the arrest of 90-year-old Cardinal Zen, it is ever more vital for us to stand for freedom of speech and religion, and we welcome the Catholic community in standing up for these values.”
About CFHK
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk