The Immigration Tower located in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong, which houses the city's Immigration Department.HONG KONG: Her family members did not undergo torture or have gunshot scars – that was the Hong Kong authorities’ reason for rejecting asylum seeker Uzma Naveed’s case.
Out of 29,000 non-refoulement claims made in the last 15 years, only 330 were successful or substantiated. Mr Girimana, who turns 60 this year, only had two hours to pack up his life and leave Burundi, after discovering a plot to kill him over his work as a human rights advocate. He has been separated from his family ever since.
Japan and South Korea are two Asian signatories of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. Even so, their low acceptance rate of refugees as well as ethnically homogenous societies make Hong Kong a more desirable option. Mr Jeffrey Andrews, manager of the Christian Action Centre for Refugees, said some Hong Kongers think refugees are “fake” and “just here wanting to delay their own time here”.
An evening view of the financial Central district and Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 9, 2023. Given their inability to legally work or live in the city, refugees and asylum seekers depend on government allowance of about US$400 a month. It is barely enough to cover rent or living expenses, as costs of living continue to rise in Hong Kong.
“We have cooking classes, sewing classes, and jewellery-making classes. The women can find different ways to keep themselves engaged. We just want to encourage them to be socially connected with other women, because life as a refugee and asylum seeker can be isolating,” she added.Behind Ms Naveed’s desk sits a rack full of colourful bags, each unique and intricately handwoven by the women in the programme.
He rallies a team of volunteers, who are also refugees, to lead a food distribution drive at Kowloon Union Church every week. From 2021 to end-January this year, a majority – 573 – of about 660 placement requests were approved.Despite his illegal status, he could attend school with permission from the Immigration Department. His family’s non-refoulement claims have yet to be substantiated after 16 years.