Colleagues, I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 12 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Today’s meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the committee is meeting to study the detention of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong.
I would like to welcome our witnesses.
Sebastien Lai, the son of Jimmy Lai and leader of the Free Jimmy Lai campaign, joins us by video conference. We may be joined soon by Caoilfhionn Gallagher, lead international counsel to Jimmy Lai, by video conference. From the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, we have Brandon Silver, director of policy and projects. We also probably will be joined soon by Mr. Michael Kovrig, executive director of StrategicEffects. Finally, from the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, we have Jonathan Stivers, U.S. and Canada director.
Welcome. Up to five minutes will be given for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions from the members.
I now invite Mr. Sebastien Lai to make an opening statement of up to five minutes.
Please proceed.