The United Kingdom government has strongly condemned the actions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) following the conviction of media mogul Jimmy Lai in a case described as politically motivated. The UK issued a sharp statement expressing deep concern over the verdict, which targeted the prominent pro-democracy figure under national security laws. This conviction is viewed by London as further evidence of Hong Kong’s deteriorating autonomy and the systematic erosion of freedoms and the rule of law guaranteed under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was found guilty on charges related to collusion with foreign forces under the sweeping National Security Law (NSL) imposed by Beijing, reports The WP Times citing The Guardian.
London has consistently maintained that the NSL is a tool used to silence dissent and target pro-democracy activists, thereby undermining the "One Country, Two Systems" framework that was supposed to preserve Hong Kong's way of life for 50 years after the 1997 handover. The UK government demanded that the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities cease their politically motivated persecution of pro-democracy voices, including Jimmy Lai, and uphold the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law and international treaties.
The conviction of Jimmy Lai, who is a British citizen, comes after a lengthy trial that attracted intense international scrutiny. Critics argue the case was flawed and deliberately aimed at punishing the businessman for his outspoken criticism of Beijing's growing control over Hong Kong. Lai was previously arrested in August 2020 under the NSL, marking a significant escalation in the authorities’ crackdown on independent media and political opposition in the city.
The UK's condemnation highlights the ongoing tension between London and Beijing over the former British colony. The British government has repeatedly offered support and pathways to citizenship for Hong Kong residents facing repression, underscoring its commitment to the people of Hong Kong despite the diplomatic friction with China. The fate of Jimmy Lai is seen globally as a litmus test for judicial independence and political freedom in the territory.
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