HONG KONG -- 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: The U.N.human rights chief, Volker Türk, 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," Türk said.
“This is part of a broader repressive trend in Hong Kong, where hundreds have been arrested and prosecuted under these laws."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 confide...