The U.S. State Department on Tuesday (12th) released its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, stating that the Hong Kong government has used the National Security Law to arbitrarily arrest and detain Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy figures, subjecting them to prolonged solitary confinement, among other measures, thereby undermining the human rights and freedom of expression of Hong Kong residents.

On Wednesday night (13th), the Hong Kong government responded by reiterating that solitary confinement was Jimmy Lai’s own choice. It expressed strong dissatisfaction with and opposition to what it called smear remarks from “external forces,” including “anti-China” media organizations, regarding Lai’s National Security Law case and detention conditions. The authorities claimed that since the implementation of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong’s media environment has “remained as vibrant as ever.”

A government spokesperson accused external forces and anti-China media of “distorting the truth, blatantly discredit the judicial system and trials of the HKSAR, in an attempt to glorify criminal behavior and exert pressure on the courts of the HKSAR.” The spokesperson said the Correctional Services Department (CSD) attaches great importance to the safety and health of persons in custody and is committed to providing a safe, humane, suitable, and healthy custodial environment for all inmates—regardless of their identity, age, or nationality—including good ventilation and timely, appropriate medical care. The same arrangements apply to Jimmy Lai as to other inmates.

The authorities further stated that Lai’s legal representatives had long clarified that he has been receiving appropriate treatment and care in prison, and reiterated that his cessation of contact with other inmates was always based on his own wishes. “However, external forces choose to turn a blind eye to these facts and evidence, and carry on with their malicious political maneuvers with ulterior motives. The HKSAR Government strongly opposes such actions.” the statement read.

The government stressed that human rights in Hong Kong have always been firmly guaranteed under the Constitution and the Basic Law. Since the implementation of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong’s media environment “has been as vibrant as ever,” but must comply with all laws.