Statement by the Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement on the Sentencing of Jimmy Lai

February 8th, 2026

The Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement (VSSDM) condemns in the strongest terms the 20-year prison sentence imposed on Jimmy Lai.

This punishment is not justice; it is political persecution. Jimmy Lai is being jailed for his words, his beliefs, and his commitment to the freedoms that once defined Hong Kong: freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.

The National Security Law has transformed peaceful dissent into a crime. The forced closure of Apple Daily, the imprisonment of its journalists and executives, and this unprecedented sentence against its founder mark the systematic dismantling of press freedom and civil society in Hong Kong.

At 78 years old and after years already spent in harsh detention, a 20-year sentence raises grave humanitarian concerns. The world must recognize the human cost of this political repression.

Jimmy Lai stood for truth, accountability, and the rights of the Hong Kong people. While a court may imprison the man, it cannot imprison the values he represents.

VSSDM calls on the Government of Canada to act with urgency and leadership. Canada should work with G7 partners and the international community to demand Jimmy Lai’s immediate release and to hold those responsible for the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong accountable.

Silence will only embolden further repression. Canada must stand clearly and firmly with those who are persecuted for peacefully defending freedom, human dignity, and democratic values.

VSSDM stands in unwavering solidarity with Jimmy Lai, the journalists of Apple Daily, and all Hong Kong people who continue to defend freedom despite the growing risks.

Edmund Leung

Chair, Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement (VSSDM)