12 April 2021.
The Centre for Law and Democracy has published a Note that explains the recent legal troubles faced by Hong Kong publisher and democracy activist Jimmy Lai. Lai is facing reprisals from authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China due to the outspoken newspaper he founded, Apple Daily, and his other activities as a leader in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. Several of these charges are under Hong Kong’s colonial-era Public Order Ordinance and the recent mainland China national security law for Hong Kong, both of which have serious failings from an international human rights perspective.
“CLD is deeply concerned that the Public Order Ordinance and national security law for Hong Kong are being used to target activists such as Jimmy Lai for legitimate expressive activity,” said Toby Mendel, Executive Director at CLD. “Laws should never allow for the criminalisation of peaceful protests and publishing legitimate political speech, especially where, as is the case here, they provide for lengthy jail terms.”
CLD’s Note on Lai is available at: Note on Jimmy Lai.
For further information, please contact:
Toby Mendel
Executive Director
Centre for Law and Democracy
Email: toby@law-democracy.org
+1 902 431 3688
www.law-democracy.org
twitter: @law_democracy
