A representative of PEN International delivered a statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council calling for the immediate release of media publisher Jimmy Lai, along with all those arbitrarily detained for their peaceful expression.
This statement was originally published on pen-international.org on 12 March 2025.
Today at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Tatyana Eatwell, a member of Jimmy Lai’s international legal team, delivered a statement on behalf of PEN International calling for Lai’s immediate release, along with all those arbitrarily detained for their peaceful expression, and for the repeal of Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law (NSL).
The statement was delivered during an Interactive Dialogue with Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights, and it highlighted the increasing misuse of counter-terrorism and national security legislation to persecute writers, journalists and others for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
In Hong Kong, the ongoing national security trial of journalist, writer and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai is emblematic of the NSL’s devastating impact on freedom of expression and is a stark illustration of the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities’ unrelenting efforts to silence critical voices. If convicted, Jimmy Lai faces a potential life sentence.
A transcript of Tatyana’s statement can be found below:
Thank you, Mr Vice-President.
International PEN has documented a disturbing global trend in the abuse of counter-terrorism and national security laws in order to suppress the exercise of freedom of expression by writers, journalists and publishers.
Emblematic of this abuse of power, is the misuse of criminal laws, including the draconian National Security Law, by the Hong Kong authorities to target, harass and imprison pro-democracy campaigners, journalists, and activists in recent years. This is a sorry reminder of the extent to which the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities are willing to weaponise the law to silence dissent and other legitimate expressions of opinion.
When the law was imposed in 2020, UN experts warned that its broadly defined offences could lead to its “arbitrary interpretation and enforcement” to undermine human rights.
With the trial of journalist, publisher and pro-democracy activist, Jimmy Lai, now 77, those warnings have become an alarming reality.
Mr Lai is accused of sedition, said to arise out of his journalism. The ordinary actions of a media owner and writer are being treated as crimes. He is also being accused of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces for discussing democracy with parliamentarians and raising concern about human rights abuse.
These are not crimes. These are legitimate actions protected under international law.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has found Mr Lai is arbitrarily detained and being denied his fundamental right to a fair trial. Targeted because of his exercise of his right to freedom of expression, he should never have been prosecuted and should be immediately released.
International PEN thanks the Special Rapporteur for raising this case with China and Hong Kong. We call on China and Hong Kong to respect human rights, repeal its draconian national security laws and to immediately release Mr Lai in accordance with the Working Group’s Opinion, and all those arbitrarily detained for their peaceful expression.
For more information about the freedom of expression situation in China, see PEN International’s recent joint submission during China’s fourth cycle UPR.
