London, November 20, 2024 – Hostage Aid Worldwide attended an important hearing organized by UK’s All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs to spotlight the case of British citizen and prominent media figure, Jimmy Lai who is detained in Hong Kong. The hearing, held at the UK Parliament on November 13, aims to mount the pressure on the British government and is part of the APPG’s adhoc inquiry into the cases of British citizens arbitrarily detained and held for leverage by foreign governments, with Jimmy Lai’s case exemplifying the challenges faced.
Jimmy Lai, 76, is the founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and Next Digital in Hong Kong. Since 2020, he has spent over 1,400 days in prison, predominantly in solitary confinement, under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. If convicted, he faces a life sentence.
The hearing featured influential speakers including Sebastian Lai, son of Jimmy Lai; Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, head of Jimmy’s international legal team; Ambassador James Cunningham, former US Consul General to Hong Kong and Chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom in Hong Kong; the Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes KG CH, the 28th and last Governor of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997. The discussion was chaired by APPG Chair Alicia Kearns MP, with support from Vice Chairs Baroness Helena Kennedy, Brendan O’Hara MP, and Tim Roca MP, and attended by Charles Sanchez representing Hostage Aid.
