Does Hong Kong judge refugees as ‘bogus’ upon arrival?

Post Date: Sep 26th, 2015 | Categories: Advocacy, Immigration, Racism, Rejection, VF Opinion | COMMENT

What happened to the universal and unalienable right to seek asylum?

What happened to the benefit of doubt through the assessment process?

What happened to trumpeted (but not respected) high standards of fairness?

What happened to critical thinking by media outlets?

What is happening to refugee rights in Hong Kong?

湧港經律師提酷刑聲請 假難民恐拖垮經濟

Hong Kong Government policy on seeking asylum: “According to the Secretary for Security, foreigners who smuggled themselves into Hong Kong, and visitors who overstayed their limit of stay allowed by the Immigration Department (“ImmD”) or who were refused entry by ImmD upon arrival in Hong Kong (collectively known as “illegal immigrants”) are liable to be removed from Hong Kong in accordance with the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) (“the Ordinance”).  To safeguard immigration control and for public interest, they should be removed as soon as practicable.  However, pursuant to the United Nations Convention Against Torture which applies to Hong Kong since 1992, and multiple court rulings since 2004, ImmD cannot remove illegal immigrants to another country where they would face a genuine and personal risk of being subjected to torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, or persecution.  Moreover, the court rulings mandate that if an illegal immigrant alleges that he would face such risks upon removal to another country, he cannot be removed from Hong Kong to that country unless such risks are assessed by ImmD to be unsubstantiated under procedures which meet the high standards of fairness.”

 

Standard - Concerns rise over spike in `bogus refugee' claims


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