I would like to respond to the article in the Sunday Morning Post, on April 28, headlined, 'Cruel rules to hit homeless', which highlights a law that will soon come into force which would allow homeless people's belongings to be confiscated and disposed of.
Over the cold snap during Lunar New Year I was really impressed by the Government's concern towards the homeless and its efforts to distribute food and blankets, because it demonstrated that we live in a caring society where regard for human well-being is high. What I don't understand is why only months later the Government wants to enforce this contradictory piece of legislation? I would like to urge the Hong Kong Government to please reconsider this action in light of its message and consequences of such legislation.
The argument underlying this new piece of legislation is 'out of sight, out of mind'. In other words once street sleepers' belongings are removed, then they cease to become such a visible problem. My objection is that this law does not deal with the root cause of homelessness and does not try and combat it in a way that would be beneficial in the long-term. What is the message that we are giving if we allow this law to be put into practice? That homeless people have no right to own possessions simply because they do not have a roof over their head, and therefore that they are not entitled to the same rights as those who have housing? By enforcing this law we are branding them little more than animals.
There will always be homeless people whether in public view or not and they will continue to find the best means of survival, even if that means carrying their life around in plastic bags. It is not their belongings which are the real issue, but rather what can be done in the long-term to reach out to street sleepers. The Hong Kong Government has the power to pass a law that could help the homeless and make provision for them and I would advise it to use this opportunity to do something productive and advantageous for them, which would in turn better our entire city. There are groups in Hong Kong which have established outreach to the homeless so why does the Government not channel more funds into their valuable work rather than into this ineffective law.
MARIA LAI Repulse Bay
