Over 100 politicians from around the world are calling for the release of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy campaigner in Hong Kong, as his trial resumes on charges many see as unfair. MPs from countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, Ukraine, and others have signed an open letter demanding his “immediate and unconditional release.” Lai, a British citizen, has been in prison since 2020, facing charges related to his role in the 2019 pro-democracy protests and fraud.
Now 76 years old, Lai faces life in prison under China’s harsh national security law for charges like sedition and colluding with foreign forces. These charges are based on articles he wrote in the Apple Daily newspaper, which he founded. His son, Sebastien Lai, has spoken out, expressing deep concern about his father’s health. He said in October, “My father will die in jail… This is about saving his life.” Jimmy Lai has appeared in court looking frail, shivering, and losing weight.
The letter was released after UK leader Keir Starmer raised Lai’s case during a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil. Starmer expressed concerns over Lai’s health, stressing that the situation was troubling.
The letter, organized by Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, calls Lai’s trial unfair, stating that the judges are chosen by the government, and evidence obtained through torture is being used against him. The trial has also been delayed multiple times. The letter urges for Lai’s immediate release, calling the charges against him “trumped-up” and based on his peaceful support for democracy, human rights, and journalism.
Other politicians joining the call include UK MP Jeremy Hunt, US Congressman French Hill, and Ukraine’s Oleksandr Merezhko. Kearns emphasized that Lai is being cruelly persecuted for standing up for freedom, and as a British citizen, the UK has a duty to fight for his release.
Lai’s lawyers also claim he has been denied proper medical care for his diabetes, which puts his health at even greater risk. They say that the lack of specialized care could lead to serious complications in the long run.
Lai has also been charged for symbolic actions, like lighting a candle to remember the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. The harsh national security law was introduced after Hong Kong’s 2019 protests against a controversial extradition bill, which many saw as an attack on the city’s freedoms.
As the world watches, the pressure to free Jimmy Lai grows, with many standing in solidarity to support his cause for freedom and justice.
