15/12/2025
The imprisonment of 77-year-old Jimmy Lai, who now faces a lengthy prison sentence, is a disgrace and a blatant attack on freedom of speech and press freedom. An elderly publisher is being punished simply for standing up for democracy.
This is political persecution, plain and simple. China is openly breaching the Sino-British Joint Declaration, an international treaty it is legally bound to uphold.
The UK government must now act – not just issue statements of concern. That means robust diplomatic pressure, targeted sanctions against those responsible, and international action with allies to hold China to account.
If we fail to defend the rights guaranteed to Hong Kong, we send a dangerous message that international agreements – and basic human freedoms – can be ignored without consequence.