Skip to content
EU Parl Watch

Adopted text, 22 January 2026

Conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong

Document TA-10-2026-0018 · P10_TA(2026)0018 · PE782.024

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

The European Parliament condemns the conviction of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong and urges his immediate release, along with all others detained for exercising freedoms. It calls for the repeal of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and for sanctions against Hong Kong officials. It also urges member states to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong, and calls on the Commission to initiate suspension of Hong Kong's WTO status.

Key points

  1. Condemns Jimmy Lai's conviction and expresses grave concern over his imminent sentencing.
  2. Urges Hong Kong authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Lai and all others detained for exercising freedoms, drop all charges, and guarantee fundamental rights.
  3. Urges Hong Kong authorities to provide Lai and other political prisoners with immediate access to specialised medical care.
  4. Emphasises that Lai's prosecution exemplifies systematic use of state security laws to eliminate independent media, free speech and political opposition.
  5. Reiterates strong condemnation of the NSL and SNSO and calls for their repeal.
  6. Condemns transnational repression of journalists, activists and diaspora, including in the EU.
  7. Calls on member states to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong and provide protection to individuals at risk of political persecution.
  8. Calls on the Commission to initiate suspension of Hong Kong's status under the World Trade Organization.
  9. Considers life imprisonment for Lai unacceptable, with severe consequences for EU-China relations.
  10. Urges the Council to review its 2020 conclusions on Hong Kong and adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all responsible officials.
  11. Calls on the EU Delegation to intensify diplomatic engagement and monitoring regarding Lai's situation and related cases.

Who is affected

  • Hong Kong authorities: urged to release Jimmy Lai and others, drop charges, and provide medical care.
  • Member states: called on to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong.
  • Commission: called on to initiate suspension of Hong Kong's WTO status.
  • Council: urged to adopt sanctions against Hong Kong officials.
  • EU Delegation: tasked with intensifying diplomatic engagement and monitoring.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1 800 days in solitary confinement for Jimmy Lai.
  • Lai aged 78.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Text 17 paragraphs

European Parliament resolution of 22 January 2026 on the conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong (2026/2573(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Hong Kong and China,

–having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 15 December 2025, Hong Kong’s High Court convicted British citizen and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai of collusion with foreign forces under the National Security Law (NSL) and sedition under the colonial-era Crimes Ordinance; whereas he now faces imminent sentencing that could result in life imprisonment;

B.whereas Lai has been detained since December 2020 on multiple politically motivated charges; whereas he has spent more than 1 800 days in solitary confinement;

C.whereas Lai’s conviction represents a further escalation in the dismantling of freedom of expression, media freedom and judicial independence in Hong Kong, following the imposition of the NSL in 2020 and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) in 2024;

D.whereas by imposing the NSL and the SNSO, China has breached its international legal obligations, which guaranteed Hong Kong special status until 2047 under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which remains applicable to Hong Kong;

E.whereas Lai, aged 78, faces a lengthy prison term or life imprisonment, despite suffering from diabetes and currently being held under life-threatening conditions;

1.Condemns Jimmy Lai’s conviction, in the strongest terms, and expresses grave concern over his imminent sentencing; urges the Hong Kong authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Lai and all other individuals detained for exercising their freedoms, including religious and democratic rights, to drop all charges against them and to guarantee their fundamental rights; urges the Hong Kong authorities to provide Lai and other political prisoners in need with immediate access to specialised medical care;

2.Emphasises that Lai’s arbitrary prosecution exemplifies the systematic use of state security laws to eliminate independent media, free speech and the political opposition in Hong Kong;

3.Reiterates its strong condemnation of the NSL and the SNSO in Hong Kong and their transnational implications; calls for the repeal of the NSL and the SNSO;

Read the rest (5 paragraphs)

4.Condemns the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities’ escalating transnational repression of journalists, activists and the diaspora, including in the EU; reiterates its call on the Member States to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong and to provide effective protection to individuals at risk of political persecution; calls on the Commission to initiate the suspension of Hong Kong’s status under the World Trade Organization;

5.Considers that imprisoning Lai for life would be unacceptable, bringing severe consequences for EU-China relations;

6.Urges the Council to review its 2020 conclusions on Hong Kong and adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms;

7.Calls on the EU Delegation to intensify diplomatic engagement and monitoring regarding Lai’s situation and related cases;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council, the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.