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September 08, 2025 – China –
a powerful coalition of voices—including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 71 other rights and press freedom organisations—addressed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with an urgent plea: secure the immediate release of imprisoned publisher Jimmy Lai on medical grounds. The letter highlights Lai’s deteriorating condition after enduring more than 1,680 days in solitary confinement in Hong Kong, starvation of light and exercise, and critically delayed court proceedings that have further jeopardised his fragile health. RSF emphasised that if securing Lai’s release remains a UK priority, Starmer must act swiftly and decisively—and meet with Lai’s son, Sebastien, without further delay.
This appeal was echoed by the Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) in a separate joint letter alongside 72 organisations. Dated August 21, 2025, the letter underscores Lai’s precarious health—spotlighted by heart palpitations, near-collapse episodes, significant weight loss, and delays in his trial proceedings. As international sheriffs of justice stand on the sidelines, CHRD warns that each day in custody brings Lai closer to mortal danger, urging Starmer to demand immediate humanitarian parole so Lai can return to his family and receive proper care.
These coordinated efforts reflect mounting unease both domestically and internationally. RSF highlighted the dire trajectory of press freedom in Hong Kong—now scored 140th in RSF’s 2025 World Press Freedom Index, down from 18th just two decades prior—with Lai’s persecution emblematic of a broader crackdown on independent media.
The urgency of the campaign is underscored by the broader framing of Jimmy Lai’s plight: a once-prominent media entrepreneur turned emblem of press suppression, fighting not just for his life but for the very principles of democracy and free expression. The appeals by RSF and CHRD leave no room for political delay or diplomatic ambiguity—calling on the UK’s Prime Minister to move from rhetoric to resolute action in defence of a vulnerable citizen’s life.
Reference –
Joint Letter to UK Prime Minister Calling for the Urgent Release of Jimmy Lai
