Jimmy Lai: Prison Sentence Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Jas Athwal
Main Page: Jas Athwal (Labour - Ilford South)Department Debates - View all Jas Athwal's debates with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
(1 week ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
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Seema Malhotra
Perhaps we can agree on this matter. We want to see an immediate release on humanitarian grounds so that Jimmy Lai can be reunited with his family. He must be supported to receive vital independent medical treatment to support his health and wellbeing right now.
Jas Athwal (Ilford South) (Lab)
Last year, the UN working group on arbitrary detention ruled that Mr Lai has been unlawfully and arbitrarily detained. In 2022, the same UN working group concluded the same thing about Jagtar Johal. Today, Jagtar turns 39, but instead of celebrating, he is languishing in a foreign prison like Jimmy Lai. I caution the Government that if we do not stand up for our citizens unlawfully imprisoned abroad, we risk becoming beholden to the whims of others, rather than standing on firm principles. How are the Government making meaningful representations to our Indian and Chinese counterparts to bring these British citizens home?
