Jimmy Lai, the jailed pro-democracy tycoon in Hong Kong, is reportedly suffering from deteriorating health in prison, according to his daughter. Claire Lai, who resides in exile in London, told the BBC that her father's fingernails "sometimes fall off" and his teeth are rotting.
Lai, 78, has been detained since December 2020 and faces a potential life sentence. Earlier this month, he was convicted of colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong's national security law (NSL). His family has written a letter, seen by the BBC, urging UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to call for Lai's release during his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month. Claire Lai expressed fears that she "may never see him again."
Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have refuted claims of mistreatment, asserting that Lai is in "good health." However, concerns persist regarding the conditions of his imprisonment and the fairness of the charges against him.
The case of Jimmy Lai has drawn international attention, highlighting the erosion of democratic freedoms in Hong Kong following the implementation of the NSL in 2020. The law criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, and has been used to silence dissent and suppress pro-democracy movements. Critics argue that the NSL violates the "one country, two systems" framework, which was intended to guarantee Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy for 50 years after its handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
Lai, the founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, was a prominent voice for democracy in Hong Kong. His arrest and conviction are seen by many as a politically motivated attempt to silence a critical voice and suppress freedom of the press.
The United Nations and various international human rights organizations have expressed concerns about the NSL and its impact on human rights in Hong Kong. They have called for the law to be repealed and for the release of political prisoners, including Jimmy Lai. The situation remains tense, with ongoing debates about Hong Kong's future and its relationship with mainland China. Lai's legal team is expected to appeal his conviction.
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