Chair Cardin Condemns Sentencing of the Hong Kong 47, Renews Call for Jimmy Lai’s Freedom

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement on the Hong Kong government's sentencing of the 45 remaining members of the Hong Kong 47 and the resumption of Hong Kong media icon and democracy activist Jimmy Lai's trial.

"Today is a dark day for Hong Kong and its legacy as an international city that once respected fundamental freedoms. The Hong Kong government and judiciary, acting at the behest of Beijing, sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to egregious prison terms, with some as long as ten years, on charges of 'conspiracy to commit subversion' under Hong Kong's National Security Law. The imprisonment of these courageous individuals makes a mockery of due process and the rule of law, and their sentences mark the culmination of Beijing's attempts to eliminate Hong Kong's pro-democracy opposition and erase its remaining autonomy.

"This week also marks another disturbing development in Hong Kong: the resumption of media icon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai's trial, also on politically motivated charges under the National Security Law. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recently declared Mr. Lai's detention as unlawful and arbitrary, calling for his immediate release. As with the judicial process for the Hong Kong 47, Beijing and the Hong Kong government have politicized Mr. Lai's trial from the start, denying Mr. Lai a just and fair proceeding in contravention of his human rights and Beijing's international commitments pertaining to Hong Kong.

"The Hong Kong government must immediately release the 45 members of the Hong Kong 47 sentenced, as well as Jimmy Lai and all other brave individuals unjustly imprisoned under the National Security Law and Article 23. While the actions of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong reflect a fear of its own people, the courageous voices of pro-democracy Hong Kongers will not be silenced, both within the region and abroad. Their courage, activism, and resilience have powered a movement that has inspired the world and will never be forgotten. The United States will always stand with the people of Hong Kong in their fight for dignity and civil rights."

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