The United States condemns the prosecution of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media owner Jimmy Lai under the People’s Republic of China’s National Security Law. Lai has been held in pre-trial detention for more than 1,000 days, and Hong Kong and Beijing authorities have denied him his choice of legal representation.
We call on the Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to respect press freedom in Hong Kong. Actions to stifle press freedom and restrict the free flow of information – as well as Beijing’s and local authorities’ changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system, which reduce the number of direct elections and exclude independent and pro-democracy party candidates – have undermined Hong Kong’s democratic institutions and damaged Hong Kong’s reputation as an international business and financial centre.
We call on the Hong Kong authorities to immediately release Jimmy Lai and all others detained for defending their rights.