FOXNews Politics | 2 hours ago | Politics
The United States Secretary, Marco Rubio, has criticized the 20-year sentence handed to Hong Kong democracy advocate, Jimmy Lai, describing it as "unjust". The 78-year-old activist was convicted under the national security law in Hong Kong. Sieged with controversy, the law has been increasingly used against dissidents and has been criticized as a tool for stifling free speech.
Rubio's stance reflects a broader international concern over China's tightening grip on the semi-autonomous region. The conviction of Lai, a significant figure in the pro-democracy movement, is seen as another blow to the dwindling political freedoms in the city. Lai has been an outspoken critic of Beijing's policies and was charged over his participation in two illegal protests in 2019.
The use of the security law in this case represents a further crackdown on Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, leading to concerns over the future of civil liberties in the city. The legislation allows for those convicted under it to face life imprisonment, heightening international concerns about the potential for misuse and its impact on human rights.
Seen as controversial and draconian, the national security law has been a focal point of international criticism towards China's administration in Hong Kong. Marco Rubio's condemnation of Jimmy Lai's sentence exemplifies the mounting global concern about the increasing political repression in Hong Kong, spotlighting the continuity of the need for international dialogue on human rights and democracy.