Mr. Speaker, Jimmy Lai is a father, brother, uncle and grandfather with strong ties to Canada. He is a British citizen, a pro-democracy leader, a media freedom champion and a prisoner of conscience.
Since December 2020, Hong Kong authorities have held Mr. Lai in solitary confinement on trumped-up charges under their authoritarian national security laws. That is over four years, and for what crime? He published the truth, defended democracy and stood up for freedom. Mr. Lai's imprisonment is unjust, not to mention dangerous for a 77-year-old suffering from diabetes.
This despicable show trial in front of hand-picked judges by the Chinese Communist Party has already lasted over 17 months. Next week, Sebastien Lai will be on Parliament Hill to tell his dad's story and talk about what Canada should do to help free Jimmy Lai.
This is a gross human rights violation such as the Magnitsky act was designed to address. The Government of Canada should use it, speak out and forcefully call for Jimmy Lai's release.