World Press Freedom is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, who remains unjustly detained in Hong Kong under the pretext of national security charges. His pro-democracy newspaper was shut down.

The 77-year-old publisher has been held in solitary confinement for more than four years under harsh conditions despite his age, diabetes, and deteriorating health — an act that has been widely condemned as cruel and inhumane. He has now spent more than 17 months on trial under Hong Kong’s sweeping National Security Law and sedition laws. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces a life sentence.

Lai’s imprisonment is yet another sign of the accelerating erosion of press freedom, civil society, and the rule of law in Hong Kong. It is not just an attack on one man, but on the fundamental rights and democratic values that Canada upholds – including a free press.

In a deeply troubling development, the prosecution is using Canadian news publications calling on the federal government to support Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement in 2019, and Ottawa’s decision to suspend its extradition arrangements with Hong Kong, as evidence of his alleged criminality. This constitutes a direct affront to Canadian values and democratic institutions.

There is move afoot to grant Lai honourary Canadian citizenship. A multi-partisan parliamentary group has supported the bid. As has Irwin Cotler, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the founder of the The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights.

Lai has immediate family in Ontario and his businesses in Canada employ more than 1,500 people. The Law Society of Ontario bestowed him with the 2025 Human Rights Award. PEN Canada awarded him with the Canada One Humanity Awards.

He has shown extraordinary bravery in the pursuit of justice. Days before Apple Daily was shut down by authorities, Lai wrote a letter to his staff from prison, reminding them that “freedom of speech is a dangerous job” and that “it is time for us to stand tall with our heads held high”.

Canada must not remain silent as a peaceful journalist is punished for doing his job. We urge the Canadian government to intensify its efforts to secure his release and to publicly reaffirm its commitment to defending journalists and press freedom around the world.