Four UN experts on Monday called for all charges against pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai to be dropped and called for his immediate release.
• Also read: Jimmy Lai trial in Hong Kong: Court refuses to rule out sedition charges
• Also read: Hong Kong's “oldest political prisoner,” Jimmy Lai
Mr. Lai, 76, pleaded not guilty to charges of “sedition” and “collusion” in a high-profile national security trial on January 2, which could see him face life in prison.
The allegations against the founder of the now-defunct Chinese tabloid Apple Daily relate to content in his newspaper that supported pro-democracy protests and criticized Beijing's leadership.
“The arrests, detentions and criminal proceedings against Jimmy Lai in recent years appear to be directly linked to his criticism of the Chinese government and his support for democracy in Hong Kong,” the UN experts said.
The declaration was drafted by the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of expression, freedom of association, degrading treatment and punishment, and the independence of judges and lawyers.
Special rapporteurs, who are unpaid experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, do not speak on behalf of the United Nations.
Her announcement comes the day before a new UN review of China's human rights record in Geneva, with the human rights crackdown in Hong Kong among the expected issues.
“We are alarmed by the numerous and serious violations of Jimmy Lai's freedom of expression, assembly and association, as well as his right to a fair trial, through the denial of access to a lawyer of his choice and the selection of judges by the court.” Authorities “, said the experts.
The trial of Jimmy Lai, which began at the end of 2023 after more than 1,100 days in prison, is being closely watched because it is considered a barometer for political freedoms and judicial independence in the former British colony.
His case was widely condemned by the international community, but Beijing described the criticism as interference.
The British citizen, who is being tried without a jury, is accused of “collusion” with foreign forces under strict national security laws Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020.
This law “does not comply with international legal obligations,” the UN experts reminded.