SW News: The European Parliament’s recent resolution seeking the Hong Kong government’s immediate release of noted pro-democracy activist and philanthropist Jimmy Lai has been hailed by the international group Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

It was on June 15 that the parliament of the European Union adopted the resolution seeking Lai’s release with a decisive majority with 483 out of 534 members voting in favor. The recipient of the Press Freedom Prize instituted by RSF has been incarcerated since December 2020 under false charges foisted on him. His trial under the National Security Law is likely to begin on September 25 this year. Lai faces a possible life sentence under the draconian law.

Apart from the release of Lai, who is a Catholic, and the dropping of charges against him, the parliament also wants the authorities to “stop impeding the work of journalists” and to repeal the harsh law imposed on the city and financial hub. In the resolution, lawmakers said it was a crucial step in the effort to address “the decline of press freedom in the territory”.

The resolution says, “It is now paramount that all democracies and international organizations that support democratic principles build up pressure on the Chinese regime to restore full press freedom in Hong Kong and mainland China.”

RSF came out in support of Lai and sought his immediate release on May 16 by gathering 116 media leaders from different nations, including two Nobel Peace Prize winners.

The Hong Kong authorities have prosecuted as many as 28 journalists and pro-democracy activists ever since the National Security Law was enacted in the territory in June 2020. The authorities have also forced Apple Daily, owned by Lai, and Stand News to cease operating for their outspoken support of the democracy movement. The closure of the two independent media outfits led to the ultimate demise of five other smaller independent media organizations. This has come as a deadly blow to media freedom and pluralism in Hong Kong.

Currently, the territory is ranked 140 out of 180 nations in the World Freedom Index 2023 compiled by RSF. It fell from 18th place on the list in just over 20 years.