SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Jimmy Lai

Honourable senators, at this time last year, I asked you to take a few minutes to think about Jimmy Lai, a champion of democracy and freedom of the press in Hong Kong, who has strong ties to Canada. Sadly, since then, Mr. Lai’s politically motivated persecution has continued unabated.

In December 2025, he was convicted by a special Hong Kong court on charges under the National Security Law, which is legislation used in Hong Kong to silence those opposing the views of the Beijing government, ending the “one country, two systems” promised to the United Kingdom at the time of the retrocession.

This February, Mr. Lai, now 78 years old, was sentenced to remain in prison for an additional 20 years. This March, he did not appeal, convinced that it would not change anything.

Now, he remains in solitary confinement in a cell without even a view of the outside world.

Given his worsening health, there is a risk of premature death in prison. In these circumstances, we must support the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights in Montreal in its efforts to have him released before it is too late. Indeed, the G7, UN experts and many other leaders and groups are watching and calling for his release.

Colleagues, let me conclude by referring to Vladimir Kara‑Murza, who was persecuted in Russia for daring to promote democracy and was released in 2024, further to international pressure. We met a few weeks ago, and he told me about the strength and courage that statements and calls for his release from around the world instilled in him when he was alone in a cell located in an isolated part of Russia.

Today, I want to make it clear to Beijing that we are still standing with Jimmy Lai and that our calls for his release will continue to resonate this summer and beyond, until Mr. Lai is free.

Thank you. Meegwetch.