Jimmy Lai Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison; Human Rights Organizations: Equivalent to a Death Sentence

On the morning of the 9th, the Hong Kong High Court delivered its verdict: Jimmy Lai, founder of Hong Kong’s Next Digital, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious publications. International NGO Human Rights Watch stated that this is equivalent to sentencing him to death.

According to comprehensive foreign news reports, Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, stated: "For the 78-year-old Jimmy Lai, a 20-year sentence is too harsh, and amounts to sentencing him to death. Such a sentence is both cruel and extremely unjust. The many years of persecution against Jimmy Lai demonstrate that the Chinese government is determined to crush independent media and silence anyone who dares to criticize the Communist Party."

Amnesty International stated that the Jimmy Lai case is “another grave milestone in Hong Kong’s transformation from the rule of law to rule by fear.”

Jodie Ginsberg, President of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said: “The rule of law in Hong Kong has been thoroughly shattered. Today’s shocking verdict hammers the final nail in the coffin of Hong Kong’s press freedom. If we want press freedom to be respected around the world, the international community must ramp up pressure and demand Jimmy Lai’s release.”

In addition, the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions immediately issued a statement expressing its firm support for the “fair verdict” reached by the judiciary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region according to the law. The statement emphasized that this verdict is an important demonstration of the rule of law safeguarding 'One Country, Two Systems' and defending Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and that it lays a solid legal foundation for Hong Kong’s long-term peace and order.

The Federation pointed out that the Hong Kong National Security Law is the anchor safeguarding Hong Kong. As an “anti-China, destabilizing Hong Kong” ringleader, Jimmy Lai has long used media tools to hijack press freedom and incite social unrest, leading to the outbreak of 'black violence' and a Hong Kong-style 'color revolution,' seriously undermining national security and social order.