Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Michael Chong, Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, released the following statement calling for the immediate release of newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai:
“Conservatives call for the immediate release of newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai. Conservatives condemn Hong Kong’s 20-year prison sentence imposed on Jimmy Lai, simply for exercising his rights and freedoms of speech, of the press, of assembly, and of association.
“This sentence is more evidence of the PRC’s violations of Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms guaranteed in an international treaty, the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Sentencing Mr. Lai, who is 78 years old, for nothing more than exercising his rights and freedoms is evidence of the erosion of Hong Kong’s civil liberties and the rule of law.
“The Sino-British Joint Declaration is a treaty registered with the United Nations. It guarantees Hong Kong a ‘high degree of autonomy’ with rights and freedoms such as freedoms of speech, of the press, of assembly, and of association for 50 years after the 1997 handover.
“Mr. Lai was convicted under Article 23 of the PRC-imposed National Security Law. This law criminalizes free speech, debate, and peaceful protest in Hong Kong. This law is yet more evidence of the violations of rights and freedoms, and the undermining of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
“Conservatives stand in solidarity with Mr. Lai and the people of Hong Kong. We urge the governments of the PRC and Hong Kong to respect international law, and the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration by immediately releasing Jimmy Lai.”