Hong Kong:

Several international Catholic leaders urged the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's government to free well-known pro-democracy activist and Catholic Jimmy Lai, who has been in prison for almost three years. Lai has long been a vocal supporter of democracy in Hong Kong. In 1995, he started the tabloid Apple Daily, which was strongly in favor of democracy in the administrative zone.

The controversial national security law passed by China's communist-controlled government which severely restricted free speech, led to Lai's initial arrest in August of 2020. The law imposes severe penalties for conduct that the government considers to be sedition or terrorism, which includes causing damage to public transport infrastructure. Lai was accused of colluding with foreign adversaries and conspiracy to defraud.

The activist was convicted of assembly violations and a fraud charge. He spent his 1,000th day behind bars in Hong Kong in September while he awaited trial on further charges. In contrast, The Apple Daily stopped publishing in 2021 following a government raid that resulted in the arrests of numerous employees.

Ten Catholic bishops and archbishops called on the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to immediately and unconditionally release Jimmy Lai in a petition this month.

"He's 75 and needs to be set free right now. There is no place for such cruelty and oppression in a territory that claims to uphold the rule of law and respect the right to freedom of expression. In standing up for his beliefs and committing himself through his faith to challenge autocracy and repression, Jimmy Lai has lost his business, been cut off from his family, and has just surpassed 1,000 days in prison, while facing the prospect of many more years of incarceration to come,” the bishops said.

The human rights-focused Doughty Street Chambers barristers stated in another press release that Lai faces a potential life sentence for his peaceful pro-democracy campaigning and his work at Apple Daily.

The barristers pointed out the national security statute has been heavily criticized by many governments, international bodies, and civil society organizations.

Jimmy Lai's son Sebastien Lai expressed his gratitude that Catholics and Catholic leaders from around the world are speaking on his father's behalf, and calling out for his release from unjust imprisonment.