The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the 20-year prison sentence imposed on Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, following his conviction under Hong Kong’s national security-related laws. On 15 December 2025, the High Court found Mr. Lai guilty of conspiracy to publish seditious material under the Crimes Ordinance, as well as two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the National Security Law (NSL).
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern that the verdict effectively criminalized fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, media freedom, and freedom of association. The ruling was noted to rely heavily on actions that occurred before the NSL came into effect, raising further concerns about the broad and vague scope of the “collusion with external forces” offense under the legislation.
High Commissioner Türk emphasized that Mr. Lai’s sentencing represents punishment for exercising rights protected under international law and highlighted that the vague provisions of Hong Kong’s national security laws can be applied in ways that violate international human rights obligations. He called for the verdict to be quashed as incompatible with international law and urged Mr. Lai’s immediate release on humanitarian grounds, citing his age, health, and the more than four years he has already spent in detention.
OHCHR also noted that the judgment considered engagement with the United Nations and UN human rights mechanisms as part of the context for Mr. Lai’s conviction, raising additional concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the proceedings.
Press freedom in Hong Kong has sharply declined since the introduction of the NSL in 2020 and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in 2024. Numerous independent media outlets have been shut down, journalists arrested, and foreign reporters subjected to stricter visa and accreditation rules. High Commissioner Türk described this as part of a broader repressive trend in Hong Kong, under which hundreds of individuals have been arrested and prosecuted.
Alongside Mr. Lai, six former Apple Daily staff members, an activist, and a paralegal were sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to ten years. Between 2020 and 2026, at least 385 people have been arrested and 175 convicted under national security-related offenses, according to media reports citing official sources.
Mr. Lai has denied all charges, and the court’s decisions remain subject to appeal.
