STATEMENT: Marking the first anniversary of Jimmy Lai’s unjust sentencing
Saturday 16th April – This weekend marks one year since pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai was unjustly sentenced in Hong Kong. On the 16th of April 2021, the Apple Daily and Next Digital founder was sentenced to 14 months in prison for taking part in unauthorised assemblies during the mass pro-democracy protests of 2019. When he was sentenced, Mr Lai was already serving time for participating in other peaceful and democratic protests.
Today, that same 74-year-old continues to be held in solitary confinement at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong, a maximum-security facility. In that time further charges have been levelled against Mr Lai, who has twice been charged under the draconian National Security Law.
Officially, Mr Lai is in prison for unauthorised assembly. In realty, Mr Lai is in prison for peacefully marching with thousands of people, for creating a popular newspaper that gave a voice to the powerless, and for spreading the values of democracy. Once, these were basic human rights in Hong Kong. Now, they are privileges removed by a despotic Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) will continue to fiercely campaign for Mr Lai’s unconditional release, along with freedom for all political prisoners in Hong Kong.
CFHK President, Mark L. Clifford, said:
“Jimmy Lai continues to be held in solitary confinement in a maximum-security facility for advocating for the rule of law, free markets, and democracy. The CCP are so threatened by the prospect of freedom that they have jailed a 74-year-old man who will not yield to their despotic regime.
“On this Easter weekend, let us remember the faith and suffering of this devout Roman Catholic, a man who embodies the spirit of the people of Hong Kong. The international community must not stand by while decent law-abiding citizens are imprisoned and held indefinitely simply for supporting democracy and the rule of law. These injustices shame national governments around the world who are complicit in their willingness to overlook Beijing’s record on human rights.
“Jimmy Lai once said that the National Security Law would be a “death knell for Hong Kong.” We implore the international community to heed his words before it is too late for him and too late for Hong Kong.”
Today, that same 74-year-old continues to be held in solitary confinement at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong, a maximum-security facility. In that time further charges have been levelled against Mr Lai, who has twice been charged under the draconian National Security Law.
Officially, Mr Lai is in prison for unauthorised assembly. In realty, Mr Lai is in prison for peacefully marching with thousands of people, for creating a popular newspaper that gave a voice to the powerless, and for spreading the values of democracy. Once, these were basic human rights in Hong Kong. Now, they are privileges removed by a despotic Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) will continue to fiercely campaign for Mr Lai’s unconditional release, along with freedom for all political prisoners in Hong Kong.
CFHK President, Mark L. Clifford, said:
“Jimmy Lai continues to be held in solitary confinement in a maximum-security facility for advocating for the rule of law, free markets, and democracy. The CCP are so threatened by the prospect of freedom that they have jailed a 74-year-old man who will not yield to their despotic regime.
“On this Easter weekend, let us remember the faith and suffering of this devout Roman Catholic, a man who embodies the spirit of the people of Hong Kong. The international community must not stand by while decent law-abiding citizens are imprisoned and held indefinitely simply for supporting democracy and the rule of law. These injustices shame national governments around the world who are complicit in their willingness to overlook Beijing’s record on human rights.
“Jimmy Lai once said that the National Security Law would be a “death knell for Hong Kong.” We implore the international community to heed his words before it is too late for him and too late for Hong Kong.”
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