(English) Our Associate Chelsea Cheung was interviewed by Initium Media regarding the recent Updated Removal Policy passed without any opposition in the Legislative Council. The new Policy authorizes the Immigration Department to remove non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong after their judicial review has been refused by the Court of First Instance even when their appeals are pending.

It is common rhetoric for the Government to blame non-refoulement claimants for abusing the system by lodging their claims and appeals, yet Chelsea commented that the existing backlog was a result of claimants having their claims assessed again due to the formerly defective screening mechanism. The Policy further erodes procedural safeguards previously in place for claimants and underscores the need for effective consultation and if necessary, judicial review to ensure protections for vulnerable groups.

Full Article in Chinese: https://theinitium.com/article/20230210-hongkong-refugees-claim-for-non-refoulement-protection/invite_token/GvZLmMbcoS/