My Take | A crime is a crime so singling out certain nationalities goes against natural justice and common sense
Hong Kong wants to crack down on human trafficking, but targeting just eight countries in particular smacks of racism
Imposing tougher sentences on snakeheads smuggling people into our cities is not racist, as some critics have alleged. But the way the government goes about it is both boneheaded and lazy.
Speaking in the legislature this week, security chief Lai Tung-kwok said an amendment was urgently needed to quadruple the maximum jail terms for sneaking people into Hong Kong from eight countries – Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Afghanistan and Nigeria – to 14 years.
But why single out those countries? India, for example, has already signalled its displeasure. Why not impose tough sentences on all smugglers, regardless of race or the country involved?
The government is inexplicably keeping up with a legal tradition from the colonial era. And I thought we were turning our backs on the Brits!
Under the current law dating back to 1979, snakeheads smuggling people from the mainland, Vietnam or Macau face up to 14 years in prison and a fine of up to HK$5 million. Those caught smuggling migrants of other nationalities face a lesser charge, which carries a three-year sentence and HK$25,000 fine.
According to Lai, the amendment will cover more than 99 per cent of source countries of illegal immigrants currently in the city.