Mr. Speaker, media freedom advocate and newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai prepares to turn 77, yet he remains unjustly imprisoned in Hong Kong. By the end of this year, he will have endured four years in solitary confinement; by UN standards, this is a condition deemed torture when prolonged beyond 15 days. Mr. Lai has been an outspoken critic of human rights violations by the Chinese government, giving voice to those seeking a brighter future for Hong Kong. He now faces a life sentence, deprived of precious time with his family and enduring deteriorating health. In December 2023, the House unanimously called for Mr. Lai's release and an end to his prosecution. I continue to stand in solidarity with Mr. Lai and reaffirm this call.
In the House of Commons on November 18th, 2024. See this statement in context.