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Concerns Over China's Sentence for Lai 02/09 06:06
HONG KONG (AP) -- The sentencing on Monday of Hong Kong's onetime media
magnate Jimmy Lai raised concerns from international governments and rights
groups. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities defended it, saying it reflected the
spirit of the rule of law.
Lai, a 78-year-old prominent democracy advocate, was sentenced to 20 years
in prison after being found guilty in December of conspiracy to collude with
foreign forces and conspiring with others to publish seditious articles. His
co-defendants, who entered guilty pleas to the collusion-related charge,
received prison terms ranging between six years and three months, and 10 years.
Some foreign governments and rights groups condemned the sentencing and
called for the release of Lai, a British citizen. But China's Foreign Ministry
maintained that Lai is a Chinese citizen, and urged other countries to respect
its sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
Here's what they said:
United Nations
The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Trk, deplored the sentence, saying Lai
was punished for "exercising rights protected under international law" and that
the sentence must be quashed. His office raised concerns that the broad scope
of the charges risks criminalizing legitimate activities of civil society
organizations and journalists.
"This outcome highlights how the vague and overly broad provisions of Hong
Kong's national security legislation can lead to being interpreted and enforced
in violation of Hong Kong's international human rights obligations," Trk said.
"This is part of a broader repressive trend in Hong Kong, where hundreds have
been arrested and prosecuted under these laws."
The European Union
The EU reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of
Lai, citing his advanced age and health condition.
"The politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai and the former Apple
Daily executives and journalists harms Hong Kong's reputation," it said in a
statement. "The EU calls on the Hong Kong authorities to restore confidence in
press freedom in Hong Kong, one of the pillars of its historic success as an
international financial center, and to stop prosecuting journalists."
Australia
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her country's government is
gravely concerned by the sentences handed down to Lai and his co-defendants,
saying its thoughts are with their family members and supporters at this
difficult time.
Wong said the prosecutions have had a chilling effect on free speech in Hong
Kong. She called on China to stop suppression on freedom of expression, media
and civil society, as well as repealing the security law, under which Lai was
convicted.
Britain
U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Lai was sentenced for exercising
his right to freedom of expression after a "politically motivated prosecution."
She was concerned for Lai's health and called on the Hong Kong authorities to
release him on humanitarian grounds so that he may be reunited with his family.
"For the 78-year-old, this is tantamount to a life sentence," she said,
adding that her government will "rapidly engage further" on the case.
The British government said Monday that it is expanding an immigration route
to more residents of Hong Kong, a former British colony, "amid continuing
deterioration of rights and freedoms in the territory." It estimated that some
26,000 Hong Kongers could relocate to the U.K. in the next five years.
China
In Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters at
a daily briefing that Lai is a Chinese citizen, calling him a major planner and
participant in a series of anti-China destabilizing activities in Hong Kong.
Lin said the judicial cases are purely Hong Kong's internal affairs, urging
"relevant countries" to avoid interfering in Hong Kong's judicial affairs or
China's internal affairs.
Beijing's office in Hong Kong affairs said Lai's sentence reflected Hong
Kong's determination in safeguarding national security and demonstrated the
spirit of the rule of law.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong leader John Lee said Lai's crimes are heinous and that he had used
Apple Daily to "poison" residents and incite hatred. He said Lai deserved the
sentence because he openly asked for foreign sanctions against China as well as
Hong Kong and harmed their interests.
"His heavy sentence of 20 years in prison demonstrated the rule of law,
upheld justice, and brought great satisfaction to the people," he said in a
statement.
Taiwan
Taiwan's mainland affairs council condemned the Chinese and Hong Kong
governments for suppressing human rights in the name of national security,
urging for Lai's release. It reminded Taiwanese people to take Hong Kong's
painful experience as a warning to safeguard its hard-won free way of life.
Rights groups
Amnesty International said the sentence marked "another grim milestone" for
Hong Kong.
"Imprisoning a 78-year-old man for doing nothing more than exercising his
rights shows a complete disregard for human dignity," Sarah Brooks, Amnesty's
deputy regional director, said.
Reporters Without Borders' Director General Thibaut Bruttin said the court
decision underscores the complete collapse of press freedom in Hong Kong and
the authorities' contempt for independent journalism.
"We have already witnessed press freedom defender Liu Xiaobo die in prison
due to insufficient international pressure. We cannot allow Jimmy Lai to suffer
a similar fate," he said.
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