“As a prominent and outspoken journalist and publisher, Jimmy Lai has been targeted in a clear attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association,” Cameron said in a statement.
“I call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their prosecution and release Jimmy Lai.”
Cameron said Hong Kong’s National Security Law was a “clear breach” of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which returned Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule more than 25 years ago under a deal guaranteeing a high degree of autonomy, including freedom of speech, under a “one country, two systems” formula.
“(The national security law) has damaged Hong Kong, with rights and freedoms significantly eroded,” Cameron said.
“I urge the Chinese authorities to repeal the National Security Law and end the prosecution of all individuals charged under it,” he added.
China has in the past responded to similar criticism by accusing Britain of acting with a colonial mindset.
