International Legal Team Files Complaint to UN Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers

Statement from the International Legal Team for Jimmy Lai and Sebastien Lai:

Members of Jimmy Lai’s and Sebastien Lai’s international legal team are filing an urgent submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Professor Margaret Satterthwaite, following recent statements by the Hong Kong government and in Chinese state-affiliated media accusing the team of unethical conduct and acting without instructions, which amount to extremely grave and wholly false allegations of professional misconduct. 

This attack is a continuation and escalation of the reprisals targeted at lawyers acting for Mr Lai following engagement with the United Nations, which include harassment, intimidation and threats of criminal sanction, as already reported by the UN Secretary General. Governments, including the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have also raised concern at the United Nations Human Rights Council over the attacks on Mr Lai and members of the international legal team at Doughty Street Chambers.

Such tactics must not be allowed to deteriorate Mr Lai’s capacity to assert his internationally protected human rights or discourage those speaking out on his behalf. The team intends to continue its work for Mr Lai and his son Sebastien, and to do so with renewed vigour.

The terms of the complaint itself are confidential and no further public comment will be made for the time being.