On December 15, 2025, the High Court found Mr. Lai guilty of conspiracy to publish seditious material under the Crimes Ordinance, as well as two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the National Security Law (NSL).
Mr Lai has denied all charges. The court’s decisions are subject to appeal.
Criminalize fundamental freedoms
Mr Türk’s office, OHCHR, said it had reviewed the verdict and was concerned that it criminalized the exercise of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of association.
He noted that the ruling was largely based on conduct that occurred before the NSL came into force, reiterating concerns he had previously raised about the broad scope of the offense of “collusion with external forces” under the NSL.
“Jimmy Lai is a publisher sentenced to 20 years in prison for exercising rights protected by international law.”said Mr. Türk.
“This result highlights how the vague and overly broad provisions of Hong Kong’s national security legislation may result in it being interpreted and applied in violation of Hong Kong’s international human rights obligations. “This verdict must be annulled as soon as possible as it is incompatible with international law.”
Release on humanitarian grounds
High Commissioner Türk also called for Mr. Lai’s immediate release on humanitarian grounds, citing his age, his health and the impact of the more than four years he has already spent in detention.
OHCHR He further expressed concern that the judgment treated the engagement of others with the United Nations and UN human rights mechanisms as relevant context. to reach his conclusion of guilt.
Worsening of press freedom
Since the introduction of the NSL in 2020 and the National Security Safeguarding Ordinance in 2024, press freedom in Hong Kong has deteriorated sharply, with numerous independent media outlets shut down by the state, dozens of journalists arrested, and foreign reporters facing stricter visa policies and accreditation requirements.
“This is part of a broader repressive trend in Hong Kong, where hundreds of people have been arrested and prosecuted under these laws,” Türk said.
In addition to Lai, six former Apple Daily staff members, an activist and a paralegal were also sentenced to prison terms of between six and 10 years on Monday.
From 2020 to 2026, at least 385 people have been arrested and 175 convicted under crimes related to national security, according to media reports citing official sources.