Concerns Over China's Sentence for Lai 02/09 06:06

   

   HONG KONG (AP) -- The sentencing on Monday of Hong Kong's onetime media 
magnate Jimmy Lai raised concerns from international governments and rights 
groups. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities defended it, saying it reflected the 
spirit of the rule of law.

   Lai, a 78-year-old prominent democracy advocate, was sentenced to 20 years 
in prison after being found guilty in December of conspiracy to collude with 
foreign forces and conspiring with others to publish seditious articles. His 
co-defendants, who entered guilty pleas to the collusion-related charge, 
received prison terms ranging between six years and three months, and 10 years.

   Some foreign governments and rights groups condemned the sentencing and 
called for the release of Lai, a British citizen. But China's Foreign Ministry 
maintained that Lai is a Chinese citizen, and urged other countries to respect 
its sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong.

   Here's what they said:

   United Nations

   The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Trk, deplored the sentence, saying Lai 
was punished for "exercising rights protected under international law" and that 
the sentence must be quashed. His office raised concerns that the broad scope 
of the charges risks criminalizing legitimate activities of civil society 
organizations and journalists.

   "This outcome highlights how the vague and overly broad provisions of Hong 
Kong's national security legislation can lead to being interpreted and enforced 
in violation of Hong Kong's international human rights obligations," Trk said. 
"This is part of a broader repressive trend in Hong Kong, where hundreds have 
been arrested and prosecuted under these laws."

   The European Union

   The EU reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of 
Lai, citing his advanced age and health condition.

   "The politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai and the former Apple 
Daily executives and journalists harms Hong Kong's reputation," it said in a 
statement. "The EU calls on the Hong Kong authorities to restore confidence in 
press freedom in Hong Kong, one of the pillars of its historic success as an 
international financial center, and to stop prosecuting journalists."

   Australia

   Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her country's government is 
gravely concerned by the sentences handed down to Lai and his co-defendants, 
saying its thoughts are with their family members and supporters at this 
difficult time.

   Wong said the prosecutions have had a chilling effect on free speech in Hong 
Kong. She called on China to stop suppression on freedom of expression, media 
and civil society, as well as repealing the security law, under which Lai was 
convicted.

   Britain

   U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Lai was sentenced for exercising 
his right to freedom of expression after a "politically motivated prosecution." 
She was concerned for Lai's health and called on the Hong Kong authorities to 
release him on humanitarian grounds so that he may be reunited with his family.

   "For the 78-year-old, this is tantamount to a life sentence," she said, 
adding that her government will "rapidly engage further" on the case.

   The British government said Monday that it is expanding an immigration route 
to more residents of Hong Kong, a former British colony, "amid continuing 
deterioration of rights and freedoms in the territory." It estimated that some 
26,000 Hong Kongers could relocate to the U.K. in the next five years.

   China

   In Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters at 
a daily briefing that Lai is a Chinese citizen, calling him a major planner and 
participant in a series of anti-China destabilizing activities in Hong Kong.

   Lin said the judicial cases are purely Hong Kong's internal affairs, urging 
"relevant countries" to avoid interfering in Hong Kong's judicial affairs or 
China's internal affairs.

   Beijing's office in Hong Kong affairs said Lai's sentence reflected Hong 
Kong's determination in safeguarding national security and demonstrated the 
spirit of the rule of law.

   Hong Kong

   Hong Kong leader John Lee said Lai's crimes are heinous and that he had used 
Apple Daily to "poison" residents and incite hatred. He said Lai deserved the 
sentence because he openly asked for foreign sanctions against China as well as 
Hong Kong and harmed their interests.

   "His heavy sentence of 20 years in prison demonstrated the rule of law, 
upheld justice, and brought great satisfaction to the people," he said in a 
statement.

   Taiwan

   Taiwan's mainland affairs council condemned the Chinese and Hong Kong 
governments for suppressing human rights in the name of national security, 
urging for Lai's release. It reminded Taiwanese people to take Hong Kong's 
painful experience as a warning to safeguard its hard-won free way of life.

   Rights groups

   Amnesty International said the sentence marked "another grim milestone" for 
Hong Kong.

   "Imprisoning a 78-year-old man for doing nothing more than exercising his 
rights shows a complete disregard for human dignity," Sarah Brooks, Amnesty's 
deputy regional director, said.

   Reporters Without Borders' Director General Thibaut Bruttin said the court 
decision underscores the complete collapse of press freedom in Hong Kong and 
the authorities' contempt for independent journalism.

   "We have already witnessed press freedom defender Liu Xiaobo die in prison 
due to insufficient international pressure. We cannot allow Jimmy Lai to suffer 
a similar fate," he said.