Media mogul Jimmy Lai appeals to UN over Hong Kong cases

HONG KONG –

Lawyers for Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media mogul and pro democracy activist, are asking the United Nations (UN) to investigate his imprisonment as well as multiple criminal charges. “legal harassment”He was punished for speaking out.

The publisher of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper is one of the most prominent activists who were arrested in Hong Kong’s crackdown of virtually all political criticism since the massive pro-democracy protests that took place in 2019.

The crackdown continued on Monday with the arrest and deportation of Allan Au Kalun, another veteran journalist who had worked for many Hong Kong media outlets.

Following the announcement by Britain’s government last month that it would remove its top judges from Hong Kong’s highest court, Lai’s lawyers in Britain took the necessary actions. “legitimize oppression”In the former British colony.

Lai, 74 years old, was arrested under Hong Kong’s broad national security law. He is currently serving 20 month in prison. His assets have been frozen, and a raft legal cases against him includes four separate criminal prosecutions related attending and joining protests.

Lai faces “the risk of spending the rest of his life in prison simply for speaking out, and for seeking to defend freedom of the press, democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong,”Caoilfhionn Galagher, Lai’s counsel, made the following statement.

Gallagher replied to the follow-up email by stating that the appeal was being made to the UN special rapporteurs on freedom of opinion, expression, counter-terrorism, human rights, freedom of peaceful assembly, and association, as well as human rights defenders.

“We are awaiting a response,”She wrote.

Sebastien Lai was quoted as saying that his son Lai urged UN special rapporteurs to investigate the actions of Chinese and Hong Kong authorities against Hong Kong residents.

The UN has a number special rapporteurs. Their powers are limited to seeking information from government agencies, and possibly taking steps to end violations.

The request was not yet addressed by Hong Kong authorities. China furiously reacted to Britain’s withdrawal of its judges.

Police released a brief statement regarding the arrest of Au, stating that a 54-year old man was being held. “conspiracy to publish seditious publication”He was being held for further investigation.

Beijing imposed the national security law to override local resistance. This definition of sedition is extremely broad, allowing authorities almost all open criticism to be punished by the government. Four people were arrested last week for clapping in the courtroom.

Au was a teacher consultant at Chinese University’s journalism college and had previously worked as a journalist for RTHK and TVB Hong Kong. He also wrote a column for Stand News, a pro-democracy platform that was shut down last year by police raiding it and arresting staff.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association stated that Au had been a mentor for young journalists. “deep concern”His arrest would be “further damage the freedom of the press in Hong Kong.”

“We urge the police to explain the case as soon as possible, and at the same time request the government to protect the freedom of the press and speech enjoyed by Hong Kong citizens in accordance with the Basic Law,”It was referring to Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, under which it returned under Chinese control.