Thank you very much for having me and for covering my father's story and struggle.
I would like to first thank Canada for recently joining the call for my father's release. Obviously, both Parliament and the Senate have passed unanimous consent motions calling for my father's release.
I would like to give a bit of an update since these calls were done. My father's trial is nearing its end. He has spent almost five years in prison at this point, in solitary confinement with natural light blocked off from his room, in a cell that is obviously not air conditioned. In the summer, it goes up to 30°C to 40°C. He will be 78 soon and has diabetes, so as you can imagine, we're incredibly worried about his life. In fact, recently he couldn't go to a trial because he had to be hooked up to a heart monitor because he was having heart issues.
Throughout the trial, I think we've all been very strengthened to learn that there's no evidence, essentially. The evidence that the prosecution has presented has been incredibly thin. In fact, they have inadvertently painted my father as this man who gave everything that he has to stand up for freedom and democracy and who, through 20 to 30 years of campaigning and journalism, has shone a light on the dark corners of Hong Kong. When push came to shove, in 2020, after the passing of the national security law, he decided to stay and defend his journalists. They have painted him as a man who advocated for democracy—but peacefully.
In fact, whenever he met with students, he would tell them to not be violent. He has always advocated for peace over all of these years. They have found this man who advocated for democracy under the joint declaration, so he never advocated for independence. He's incredibly moderate in a sense, but incredibly strong in his dedication to advocating for freedom and democracy.
In this case now, after five years, I think we have gotten to a situation where it's in everybody's best interest that he is freed. Obviously, that is the opinion of the Canadian government, the U.S. government, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the Italian government and the Australian government. It is also the opinion of the United Nations. This is such a clear-cut black and white case where his rights have been violated. He is being essentially tortured at this point for his courage. Unfortunately, because of his deteriorating health, it is now incredibly urgent.
I ask again that all of you here who have been so incredibly supportive keep shining a light on my father's story and keep your support going, because I think it is very much needed in this quite dark time.
Thank you.