Recently, four bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress jointly wrote a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, calling on the U.S. State Department to pay attention to prison conditions and human rights issues in Hong Kong, and to take further diplomatic measures to deal with torture and abuse in Hong Kong. The letter specifically mentioned the case of Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Media, calling for the protection of his basic human rights and promoting a detailed report on the poor treatment in Hong Kong prisons.

Bipartisan joint call: Pay attention to Jimmy Lai's experience and hold him accountable

The joint letter was initiated by Republican Congressman Christopher Smith, Chairman of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, co-chairman of the commission, and was signed by John Moolenaar, Chairman of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and China, and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the chief Democratic member. In the letter, the lawmakers pointed out that Jimmy Lai's treatment in prison has aroused great concern from the international community, including his solitary confinement, limited exposure to sunlight, and lack of necessary medical care. In addition, the letter cited reports of physical and sexual abuse in some juvenile detention centers in Hong Kong, pointing out that these conditions seriously violate international human rights standards.

Promote prison condition reporting and international cooperation

In the letter, the lawmakers urged the State Department to regularly report to Congress on the conditions of Hong Kong prisons, focus on Jimmy Lai's treatment, and hold those responsible for torture and arbitrary detention accountable. The letter also suggested an emergency meeting with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to further discuss human rights issues in Hong Kong. The four lawmakers said that Hong Kong's rule of law and human rights protection should be supported by the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, but the relevant provisions seem to be ignored in Hong Kong prisons. The lawmakers pointed out that prison authorities should provide prisoners and their lawyers with unimpeded complaint channels to ensure the transparency of the prison system and the basic human rights of prisoners.

International response: US and British politicians speak out and diplomatic trends

Jimmy Lai has been detained for nearly four years since 2020, accused of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law. During this period, Western countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have publicly voiced their concerns about the treatment of Jimmy Lai and other political prisoners in Hong Kong. Former US President Trump promised during his campaign that he would pressure Chinese President Xi Jinping to release Jimmy Lai. In addition, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with Jimmy Lai's son, Lai Chongyan, last week and said that the British government has made Jimmy Lai's case a priority. This statement has triggered a strong reaction from China, highlighting the international influence and diplomatic tensions of the case.

Promote sanctions: Call on the Biden administration to put pressure on relevant personnel

In the joint letter, the lawmakers also called on the US government to impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials involved in arbitrary detention and human rights violations, including police, prosecutors and judges. The lawmakers believe that sanctioning these individuals will help put pressure on the Hong Kong authorities to respect international human rights standards, improve prison conditions and protect the basic rights of prisoners. This initiative reflects the United States' high concern about the human rights situation in Hong Kong and its expectation to influence the Hong Kong authorities through concrete measures.

International consensus on calling for attention to the human rights situation in Hong Kong

In the letter, the lawmakers further pointed out that the Hong Kong authorities' strict control of prison information is worrying, especially for elderly prisoners such as Jimmy Lai, timely access to medical assistance and humane care is a basic human rights issue. These conditions should be guaranteed in the Prisons Ordinance, but they are rarely implemented in reality. The lawmakers emphasized that ensuring the smooth flow of information and the rights of prisoners are basic requirements of Hong Kong laws and international norms, and called on the US government to work with the international community to pay attention to the prison conditions and human rights protection in Hong Kong.

The current situation and future direction of human rights in Hong Kong under pressure from multiple parties

Hong Kong's human rights issues have aroused widespread concern in the international community, and Jimmy Lai's case has become one of the focal points. The joint action of the US lawmakers represents the continued attention of the US political circles to the conditions of imprisonment and human rights in Hong Kong. As all parties urge the Hong Kong authorities to follow international norms and coordinate with international organizations such as the United Nations on relevant issues, Hong Kong's progress in the treatment of prisoners and human rights protection will be subject to more and more international supervision in the future.