UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Delivered by the UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer.
Madame Vice President, arbitrary detention is an abhorrent violation of human rights and undermines the trust in institutions that keeps societies safe and open. The UK continues to call on all states to respect their international obligations and commitments in this area.
We would like to thank the Working Group for its latest report, which contains over 70 Opinions, all of which require attention.
But today, I would like to focus on the Working Group's Opinion on Jimmy Lai. A 77-year-old British National who has been in detention in Hong Kong for over 1,600 days. And I know that his son is here with us in the room today.
Madame Vice President, the Working Group's unequivocal Opinion is that Mr Lai's detention is arbitrary.
The UK takes that opinion very seriously. And our position is clear: Jimmy Lai's prosecution is politically motivated, and he should be released.
We have called on Beijing repeatedly to repeal its National Security Law. We have called for Jimmy Lai to be released. And we continue to press for consular access, and for an independent medical assessment of Mr Lai's health.
We repeat those calls today. And we urge China to respond to the Working Group's Opinion.
Thank you.
