UK – Doughty Street Chambers, November 15, 2024
The United Nations (“UN”) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has found that British citizen Jimmy Lai is unlawfully and arbitrarily detained in Hong Kong and has called for his immediate release.
In its Opinion No. 34/2024, the Working Group found multiple violations of Mr Lai’s fundamental rights and freedoms arising from his arrest in August 2020 and his subsequent detention and imprisonment by the Hong Kong authorities, including for his peaceful participation in pro-democracy demonstrations, his conviction for fraud said to arise out of a lease violation, and with respect to his ongoing prosecution for alleged sedition and alleged ‘conspiracy to collude with foreign forces’ under the draconian Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong (“NSL”).
The Working Group concluded, in relation to all of the cases Mr Lai has faced since August 2020, and continues to face, Mr Lai’s detention is unlawful and arbitrary. Accordingly, the Working Group called on the Hong Kong government to:
– immediately release Mr Lai;
– take steps to remedy Mr Lai’s situation without delay;
– accord Mr Lai an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations; and
– conduct a full and independent investigation into Mr Lai’s arbitrary and unlawful detention and take appropriate measures against those responsible for the violation of his rights.
