UK – Doughty Chambers Street, Jan. 22, 2026
Today, Thursday 22nd January 2026, the European Parliament has passed by an overwhelming majority an Urgent Resolution condemning Jimmy Lai’s conviction and reiterating its call for his immediate and unconditional release.
The Resolution on ‘The conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong’ is the fourth time that the European Parliament has formally and robustly condemned Jimmy Lai’s unlawful imprisonment, unfair trial and ongoing mistreatment at the hands of the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.[2] Mr Lai’s conviction under the National Security Law on 15th December 2025 is one of the most urgent global issues being considered by the Parliament during its Plenary session this week.
The Resolution, having noted Mr Lai’s detention in solitary confinement on “multiple politically motivated charges” since 2020, stresses that he is being held “under life-threatening conditions” in breach of China’s international legal obligations. It emphasises that Mr Lai’s “arbitrary prosecution exemplifies the systematic use of state security laws to eliminate independent media, free speech and political opposition in Hong Kong”.
The Resolution powerfully condemns Mr Lai’s conviction and warns China that if he is sentenced to a lengthy prison term, there will be “severe consequences for EU-China relations”.
The Resolution passed by an overwhelming majority of 503 in favour, 9 against, with 100 abstentions.
Speaking today, following the vote, Jimmy Lai’s son, Sebastien Lai, said:
“Today the European Parliament has, once again, powerfully condemned the wrongful arrest, imprisonment and conviction of my father. This is the fourth time the Parliament has declared that my father’s treatment at the hands of the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities is unacceptable and will have severe consequences for EU-China Relations. As we await what we fear will be a very long sentence for my father, I am grateful to the Parliament for reiterating the urgent call for his immediate and unconditional release, showing beyond doubt that Europe stands with my father and my family. I call upon Hong Kong and China to heed the warnings from Europe: release this 78 year old prisoner of conscience and allow him to return home to London to live out his final years in peace, before it is too late.”
