Hearing on Jimmy Lai’s case
On the 13th November, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs held its first hearing on the case of British citizen Jimmy Lai detained in Hong Kong, as it launched an inquiry into British citizens arbitrarily detained by foreign Governments.
Testifying before the APPG Chair, Alicia Kearns MP, and its Vice Chairs Brendan O’Hara MP and Tim Roca MP, were witnesses Sebastien Lai – son of Jimmy Lai -, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC of Doughty Street Chambers – head of Jimmy Lai’s International Legal Team - , the Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes KC CH – the last Governor of Hong Kong -, and Ambassador James Cunningham – former US Consul General to Hong Kong and Chairman of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong.
Witnesses spoke to the arbitrary detention of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, the refusal of the Hong Kong authorities to recognise his British citizenship, the resulting denial of consular access to the UK and the support provided by the UK Government to date in the face of this. Jimmy Lai’s trial resumes next week on 20th November.
Witnesses highlighted the urgency for the UK to do more to secure his immediate release following his detention for four years in solitary confinement, grave concerns for his health, and the resumption of his trial under Hong Kong’s National Security Law on the 20th of November. Lord Patten of Barnes and Ambassador James Cunningham spoke powerfully to the deterioration of the Rule of Law in Hong Kong, emphasising that the UK cannot wait for the conclusion of Jimmy Lai’s trial before securing his release.
The APPG is calling for urgent action to be taken to secure his release before Jimmy Lai is arbitrarily convicted under the National Security Law for his work to defend democracy in Hong Kong, and for his case to be raised in all bilateral engagements with China, as per the Prime Minister’s statement that Jimmy Lai is a priority case for the Government.
Following this, APPG Chair Alicia Kearns MP led a joint letter of 118 parliamentarians globally calling for his release. Read the letter here.
Hearing on Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s case
On the 26th of November 2024, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage Affairs held a hearing on the case of British citizen Alaa Abd El-Fattah, arbitrarily detained in Egypt for the last five years, as part of its inquiry into British citizens arbitrarily detained by foreign Governments.
Testifying before the APPG Chair, Alicia Kearns MP, its Vice Chair Brendan O’Hara MP and Members Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Baroness D’Souza were witnesses Laila Souief – mother of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, now on hunger strike for 58 days -, Omar Robert Hamilton – cousin and campaigner of Alaa -, Ambassador John Casson – former British Ambassador to Egypt -, James Lynch - former British diplomat and Director of FairSquare – and Richard Ratcliffe – husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and advisor to Alaa’s campaign.
Witnesses spoke of the lack of response from the UK Government following the conclusion of Alaa’s five-year prison sentence on 29th of September, after Egyptian authorities refused to recognise his two years in pre-trial detention as part of his sentence, contrary to Egyptian Law. The family confirmed that they received no prior warning or communication from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office that Alaa wouldn’t be released on the 29th of September, despite notifying them of the upcoming date through multiple avenues.
Witnesses highlighted the leverage the UK has at its disposal which is not currently used to secure his release. The UK is the single largest foreign investor in Egypt and UK tourism to Egypt makes up 1% of the country’s total GDP. Witnesses called for the UK to adopt an all-Government approach to secure his release, including by changing the travel guidance to Egypt – as the US has done – and to pause financial cooperation until Alaa is released.
Following the hearing, Brendan O’Hara MP asked in FCDO questions about the Government’s response to the Egyptian Government’s decision not to release Alaa, and the Foreign Secretary responded that it seemed he had an issue with having a British Passport, which was further questioned by Stephen Gethins MP. Read Hansard here and here.
Adjournment Debate on Ryan Cornelius
On 19 November, APPG Vice Chair Tim Roca MP led an adjournment debate on Ryan Cornelius, discussing his imprisonment in the UAE for the last 17 years and calling for the UK to do more to secure his release.
In response, the Minister stated ‘supporting British nationals overseas is at the heart of the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Our consular staff endeavour to give appropriate and tailored support to them and their families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The new Government are reviewing how to strengthen our support for British nationals overseas, which includes the appointment of an envoy. We will ensure that we do as much as we can to learn lessons from what has worked and what may not have worked in the past. It is important that we draw on that evidence moving forward.’ In addition, the Minister confirmed that ‘on 30 October the Minister wrote to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, to reaffirm the UK Government’s interest in Mr Cornelius’s case and welfare.’
The Hansard of the debate is available to read here.
Following this, Tim Roca MP hand delivered the Hansard of the debate to the UAE Embassy in London, calling for the release of Ryan Cornelius as the UAE celebrated its National Day.
Questions in the House
On 13 November, Lord Alton of Liverpool asked what steps were being taken to secure the release of Jimmy Lai and Alaa Abd El-Fattah, to which the Minister confirmed that the cases remained priorities. Read Hansard here.
On 19 November, APPG Chair Alicia Kearns MP raised the joint letter calling for the release of Jimmy Lai in the debate concerning the jailing of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists. Read Hansard here.
On 21 November, Tom Tugendhat MP asked the Prime Minister to confirm that before any visits to China, they would meet with Jimmy Lai’s family and legal team, which the Prime Minister evaded answering. Read Hansard here.
APPG in the news
The Guardian released coverage of the central cases, and the pressure on the Foreign Secretary to follow through with commitments to implement an envoy position to help free British citizens arbitrarily detained abroad with the establishment of the APPG. Following questioning at the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the reiterance of the Foreign Secretary that an Envoy will be established, the Guardian also covered this. Read more here. The Guardian also covered the role of APPG Chair Alicia Kearns MP in taking up this issue.
Tim Roca MP’s adjournment debate and delivery of the Hansard was covered by the Metro. Read more here.
Related Posts
