8th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) As of November 2024, there are over 15,782 non-refoulement claimants in Hong Kong, with approximately 30% currently being arranged for deportation. Recent data from law enforcement indicates that more than 700 non-Chinese individuals holding “recognizance papers” were arrested for criminal offences during this period. Legislative Councillors have raised these concerns in the Legislative Council, prompting authorities to assure that they are actively implementing measures to expedite the handling of these cases.
The Immigration Department’s statistics reveal that among the claimants, around 900 applications are still under review, while about 1,100 have appealed immigration decisions pending consideration by the Torture Claims Appeal Board. Additionally, approximately 8,400 claims or appeals have been rejected, with some individuals pursuing judicial reviews or involved in other legal proceedings. About 1,900 claimants are currently detained or under investigation, while approximately 3,500 are being prepared for removal from the territory.
The majority of these claimants, totalling 14,412, are linked to illegal entry or overstaying. Notably, the top five nationalities represented among them are Indonesian, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi. Authorities have stated that the judicial system is taking proactive steps to ensure the prompt processing of non-refoulement claims wherever feasible.
Moreover, data released by law enforcement shows that 703 non-Chinese individuals who were granted bail and issued “recognizance papers” have been arrested for various criminal offences. The most common crimes include shop theft, miscellaneous theft, assault, serious drug offences, and criminal damage. Authorities have also indicated that they will conduct immediate risk assessments in response to crime trends, enhancing patrols and enforcement actions in high-risk areas and times.
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