Milan, Feb. 9 (LaPresse) – The NGO Human Rights Watch has strongly criticized the 20-year prison sentence given to Jimmy Lai, calling it "effectively a death sentence." "A sentence of this magnitude is cruel and profoundly unjust," commented Elaine Pearson, the organization’s director for Asia, shortly after the verdict against the 78-year-old former media magnate, as reported by The Guardian. "The years of persecution Lai has endured demonstrate the Chinese government’s determination to crush independent journalism and silence anyone who dares to criticize the Communist Party," she added.