What changed

B100068/2026

B102026/2573

European Parliament resolution on Conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong

The European Parliament,

having regard to Ruleits 150previous ofresolutions itson RulesHong Kong and the People’s Republic of Procedure,China (PRC)

A. Whereas Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, and a prominent leader of the pro-democratic camp of Hong Kong (HK), has been on trial since 2020 and convicted for multiple charges under the HK National Security Law (NSL) and now faces imminent sentencing risking a maximum penalty of life imprisonment;

having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure

B. Whereas the prospect of a life sentence against a 76-year-old media publisher for peaceful expression constitutes a grossly disproportionate punishment and raises profound concerns regarding judicial independence and the use of the courts as instruments of political repression in HK;

whereas on 15 December 2025 Hong Kong’s High Court found Jimmy Lai, a British national and founder of a pro-democracy newspaper, guilty on trumped-up charges under the draconian China-imposed National Security Law (NSL), for offences carrying a possible sentence of up to life imprisonment; whereas Mr Lai was repeatedly denounced by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for his persistent advocacy for democracy;

C. Whereas Lai’s prosecution was based on journalistic writings, public statements and contacts with international actors as evidence, criminalising conduct that is protected under international human rights law;

whereas Jimmy Lai was tried alongside eight co-defendants, including Andy Li, Wayland Chan Tsz-wah and Cheung Kim-hung, all linked to the former Apple Daily newspaper or pro-democracy activism;

D.whereas Whereasconcerns Jimmyhave Laibeen hasraised beenabout heldMr inLai’s prolongedhealth pre-trialand detentionthe sinceimpact Decemberof 2020prolonged detention and hassolitary spentconfinement, extendedprompting periodscalls inby solitaryinternational confinement,actors, exacerbatingincluding concernsUS aboutPresident, for his physicalrelease andon mentalhumanitarian health;grounds;

E. Whereas the HK authorities have denied Jimmy Lai his right to a fair trial;

whereas the exceptionally lengthy judgment starkly illustrates the severe erosion of political freedoms in Hong Kong, demonstrating that individuals who criticise the CCP or the Hong Kong government, or advocate greater democracy, risk imprisonment, as the national security law is used to silence dissent and independent journalism;

F. Whereas these developments constitute violations of HK’s international obligations and of the Sino-British Joint Declaration;

Strongly condemns the prosecution and conviction of Jimmy Lai under the NSL as politically motivated and incompatible with Hong Kong’s obligations under international human rights law;

1. Strongly condemns the conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai and considers all charges to be politically motivated and as breaches of international human rights standards;

Calls on the Hong Kong authorities and the PRC to immediately release Mr Lai and all individuals detained for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, association and the press and end political prosecutions that criminalise fundamental rights;

2. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Jimmy Lai and all other individuals detained or imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights;

Expresses grave concern at the systemic use of national security provisions to criminalise legitimate political activity, independent media work, trade union action, civil society engagement and criticism of the authorities, including the CCP; underlines that these practices have silenced dissent, forced the closure of civil society organisations, dismantled independent unions, imposed widespread censorship and created a profound chilling effect on fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong;

3. Expresses grave concern about the deterioration of Jimmy Lai’s health and detention conditions, and calls for independent medical access and the full respect for his legal rights;

Stresses that prolonged pre-trial detention, closed proceedings and restrictions on legal defence undermine the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence;

4. Urges the authorities of the HK and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to repeal the NSL and to restore full respect for freedom of expression and of the press, judicial independence and the rule of law in HK;

Calls for the repeal of the NSL and the SNSO; denounces the degradation of basic freedoms in HK, including freedom of press;

5. Considers the possible life imprisonment of Jimmy Lai an unacceptable decision, which would bring severe consequences in EU-China relations, and would mark a critical moment for the international community’s response;

Calls on the EU Delegation to Hong Kong and Macao to closely monitor Mr Lai’s situation and related cases;

6. Urges the Council to immediately adopt sanctions under the EU Human Rights Sanctions Regime against all responsible HK and PRC officials;

Reiterates that respect for human rights must remain central to EU–China relations, including any future cooperation or dialogue on Hong Kong; expresses deep regret that Beijing-driven erosion of Hong Kong’s freedoms should have consequences for its special trade status, including with the EU, which must be reviewed; further highlights Hong Kong’s role in circumventing sanctions imposed on Russia and on North Korea;

7. Calls on the Commission to start working on the suspension of HK status under the WTO;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States, and the Government of the PRC and the Hong Kong authorities.

8. Urges the Member States to offer humanitarian protection, to HK journalists, human rights defenders and activists and to suspend all extradition treaties with HK and the PRC;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the authorities of the PRC and HK.