HRIC Condemns the Sham Conviction of Jimmy Lai: The Final Collapse of Hong Kong’s Rule of Law

Human Rights in China (HRIC) strongly condemns the guilty verdict delivered today against pro-democracy advocate and newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai. The ruling by three judges designated under Hong Kong’s National Security Law, convicting Mr. Lai on charges of “collusion with foreign forces” and “sedition,” is a travesty of justice that confirms the complete dismantling of Hong Kong’s once-respected legal system. Lai was accused of encouraging sanctions against Hong Kong and China in the his newspaper, Apple Daily, and of supporting the 2019 anti-extradition protests. Lai’s conviction is a clear violation of the internationally recognized right to freedom of expression.

The facts of today’s verdict confirm what the world has long known: this was never a genuine trial, but an act of political persecution. Hong Kong convicted a 78 year-old man of “sedition” for practicing journalism and engaging in peaceful advocacy. The prosecution reframed ordinary journalistic activities such as publishing articles, communicating with foreign audiences, and calling for accountability, as crimes of “sedition” and “collusion.” Mr. Lai, who has already endured years of harsh detention and declining health, now faces the prospect of life imprisonment. The claim that he “masterminded” a conspiracy is a political fiction designed to silence dissent and intimidate Hong Kong society.

This verdict marks the effective end of the rule of law in Hong Kong. The judiciary has shed its last pretense of independence and has been reduced to an instrument of authoritarian control.

HRIC stands with Jimmy Lai, his family, and the people of Hong Kong. We call on governments, legal institutions, and the international community to reject this verdict, demand Mr. Lai’s immediate and unconditional release, and hold those responsible for this judicial farce accountable.

Journalism is not a crime.

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中国人权（HRIC）强烈谴责黎智英遭到虚假定罪：香港法治的最终崩塌

2025年12月15日

中国人权（HRIC）强烈谴责香港法院今日对民主倡议者、《苹果日报》创办人黎智英作出的有罪裁决。由依据《国家安全法》指定的三名法官作出的这一判决，以所谓“勾结外国势力”和“煽动罪”裁定黎智英罪名成立，是一场彻头彻尾的司法闹剧，标志着香港曾经引以为傲的法律体系已被彻底摧毁。

今天的裁决再次印证了国际社会早已清楚的事实：这从来不是一场真正的审判，而是一场政治迫害。

• 预设结局的审判： 法院以“共谋”之名，将一名78岁的新闻出版人定罪，仅仅因为他从事新闻工作并进行和平倡导。

• 将真相定罪： 控方所依赖的所谓证据，全部源自正常的新闻活动——刊登文章、与国际社会沟通、呼吁问责，却被强行重新定义为“煽动”和“勾结”的罪行。

• 残酷的惩罚： 黎智英已在恶劣的羁押条件下度过多年，健康持续恶化，如今更面临终身监禁的威胁。所谓他“主谋”阴谋的指控，是一种政治虚构，目的在于压制异议、恐吓整个香港社会。

这一裁决标志着香港法治的事实性终结。司法机关已经撕下最后的独立伪装，沦为威权统治的工具。

中国人权与黎智英本人、其家人以及香港人民站在一起。我们呼吁各国政府、法律界人士和国际社会拒绝接受这一判决，要求立即并无条件释放黎智英，并追究制造这场司法闹剧的责任者。

Image credit: South China Morning Post

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