Chair Cardin Hosts 'Honoring Jimmy Lai: A Stand for Democracy and Free Speech in Hong Kong'

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL EVENT

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, hosted a bipartisan gathering of lawmakers, human rights advocates, and diplomatic representatives to renew the call for the release of Jimmy Lai and all political prisoners in Hong Kong. The event, "Honoring Jimmy Lai: A Stand for Democracy and Free Speech in Hong Kong," highlighted the cases of Lai, the Hong Kong 47, and other activists as symbols of the People's Republic of China's and Hong Kong's crackdown on free speech and democracy.

Chair Cardin welcomed Sebastien Lai - Jimmy Lai's son - to Washington and thanked him for his relentless advocacy, pledging to work with Congress to continue pressing for the immediate release of his father and over 1,000 prisoners of conscience in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong 47.

"We want China to live up to the commitments it made to the international community and to the people of Hong Kong," said Chair Cardin. "We'll continue to point out what China and Hong Kong are doing is contrary to international human rights law and its own commitments in Hong Kong. We'll continue to fight for all prisoners of conscience in Hong Kong to be released from this oppression."

Today's speakers included:

• Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai
• Mark Clifford, President, Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation
• Jodie Ginsberg, Chief Executive Officer, Committee to Protect Journalists
• Anna Kwok, Executive Director, Hong Kong Democracy Council
• Senator Jim Risch (R-Ida.), Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
• Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)
• Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11)
• Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ-4)
• Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA-2)
• Representative Young Kim (R-CA-40)

Throughout the event, video messages from journalists and global advocates were presented expressing support for Jimmy Lai and other prisoners of conscience in Hong Kong.

Alex Chow, a leader of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, emphasized that free speech is a fundamental human right that that gives us the power to shape our future. "Now more than ever, we must stand together, support the movement, support Jimmy Lai and the 47 democracy leaders imprisoned for their courage and to continue to fight for human rights and dignity," said Alex.

Journalist and activist Frances Hui called for a "U.S. and international response to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable, to press for the release of political prisoners, and to amplify the voice of Hong Kongers."

"We must recognize that this struggle is part of a global fight," said former elected Hong Kong district councilor Carmen Lau. "A free press is essential in amplifying silenced voices, bringing their stories to the world, and reminding us all that without the right to speak freely, democracy withers."

Additional messages of support for Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong 47, and a democratic Hong Kong will be available on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee website and social media in the coming days.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL EVENT

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