What changed

B100085/2026

P10_TA(2026)0018

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

(2026/2573(RSP))

PE782.024

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 the cases of JimmyHong LaiKong and other pro-democracy activists;China,

– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Sino-British Joint Declaration, art.39 of the Hong Kong's Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (HKBORO);

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

– having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rule 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;

A. whereas in December 2025 Jimmy Lai was convicted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law (NSL) and colonial-era sedition provisions on charges including “collusion with foreign forces” and “publication of seditious materials”;

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;

B. whereas the charges against Jimmy Lai relate to the exercise of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, press freedom and peaceful political advocacy, which are protected under international human rights law and guaranteed under the ICCPR as applicable to Hong Kong;

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;

C. whereas serious concerns have been raised regarding violations of fair trial standards, including restrictions on legal representation, the broad and vague interpretation of national security offences, and the lack of judicial independence in NSL cases;

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;

D.E. whereas Jimmy Lai facesLai, theaged prospect78, offaces a lengthy prison term or life imprisonment, despite hissuffering advancedfrom agediabetes and deterioratingcurrently health;being held under life-threatening conditions;

E. whereas according to the UK Government the introduction of the Hong Kong NSL is in violation of the Sino- British Declaration;

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;

F. whereas the EU and China have established since 1996 a human right dialogue and the EU aims at fostering relations with China based on common goals and values, including the respect of human rights and international law;

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;

1. Strongly condemns the conviction of Jimmy Lai and the imminent sentencing as a grave violation of freedom of expression, press freedom and the rule of law;

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;

2. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Jimmy Lai, and for the dropping of all charges against him and other individuals prosecuted solely for the peaceful exercise of their fundamental rights;

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;

3. Deplores the use of the NSL and sedition legislation to silence independent journalism, elected officials and political opposition, in breach of Hong Kong’s international obligations and the guarantees enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration;

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

4. Expresses its full solidarity with journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers and civil society actors in Hong Kong who continue to face intimidation, prosecution and imprisonment;

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;

5. Urges the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to restore respect for judicial independence, fair trial rights and fundamental freedoms, and to repeal or substantially amend legislation that contravenes international human rights standards;

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

6. Calls on the EU and its Member States to intensify diplomatic engagement, raise Jimmy Lai’s case systematically in bilateral and multilateral fora, and consider appropriate measures against those responsible for serious human rights violations;

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.

7. Reaffirms that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms remains an essential element of the EU’s engagement with the People’s Republic of China;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative, and the authorities of the Hong Kong SAR and the People’s Republic of China.