Today, 35 MPs and Peers have issued a joint letter urging the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to raise the case of Jimmy Lai when he travels to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) this week.
The cross-party letter, which was issued by Hong Kong Watch Patron and Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, the Lord Alton of Liverpool, was signed by Parliamentarians including Hong Kong Watch Patrons the Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws LT KC, Alistair Carmichael MP, Tom Tugendhat MP, and James Naish MP.
The letter notes that the Prime Minister has made interventions on behalf of Jimmy Lai at previous face-to-face meetings with Xi Jinping, the leader of the PRC, but that such interventions have not been sufficient to secure his release.The letter urges the UK government must now do its utmost to secure his release, and go beyond the mere raising of concerns with the representatives of foreign powers.
You can access the full letter with signatories here.
Lord Alton of Liverpool, Patron of Hong Kong Watch and Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, commented:
“It is of great importance that the United Kingdom government demonstrates that it is willing to stand up for the safety and security of its citizens imprisoned overseas. We should not put too much credence in arguments or threats that doing so will imperil our economic relationship with the PRC. I urge the Prime Minister to heed this letter, signed by Parliamentarians from both houses and a range of parties, and act to secure the release of Jimmy Lai from unjust imprisonment.”
Benedict Rogers, co-founder and Chair of Hong Kong Watch, commented:
“Jimmy Lai sits in prison awaiting sentencing, following the conclusion of his show trial in December. Without urgent intervention, he may die in prison. The Prime Minister must do his utmost to avoid this eventuality and press the case for his release to Beijing. The life of a British citizen hangs in the balance.”