Parliament condemns Jimmy Lai conviction, urges sanctions
Context
The European Parliament condemned in the strongest terms the Hong Kong authorities' arbitrary prosecution of pro-democracy activist and British citizen Jimmy Lai, who is 78 and has been held for more than 1,800 days in solitary confinement; MEPs said his life is in danger and noted the prosecution could result in life imprisonment.
Key Topic
MEPs warned that state security laws are being used to eliminate independent media, free speech and political opposition in Hong Kong and called for concrete measures, urging Member States to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong, asking the Commission to initiate suspension of Hong Kong's status under the World Trade Organization and urging the Council to adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms.
What to Watch
The resolution was adopted on 22 January 2026 by 503 votes in favour, 9 against and 100 abstentions, and it explicitly calls on Member States, the Commission and the Council to take the specified actions.
Sources
Official Documents
- General documents - Conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong (22 January 2026) - Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for suspending Hong Kong’s WTO status, halting extradition treaties with China/HK, and imposing EU sanctions on senior Hong Kong/Chinese officials over the Jimmy Lai case.
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