Bureau should clarify position on detention
The Security Bureau’s response to the detention by Thai immigration authorities of Joshua Wong Chi-fung is that it respects the right of other jurisdictions in exercising immigration control and it will not and should not interfere. Does this mean that the bureau finds it totally acceptable for a Hong Kong citizen to be detained indefinitely by the immigration authorities of another jurisdiction, without notification to anyone, that the citizen can be prevented from contacting family or friends and can be deprived of access to legal advice?
Does the bureau also mean that, as it will not “interfere”, it has no expectation of being notified when a Hong Kong citizen is detained? The bureau should make it clear then that no consular protection will be offered to the holder of a Hong Kong passport who is detained by immigration authorities anywhere.
Instead of the inane travel advisories which are issued by the government from time to time, it would be more useful for the bureau to give us hard information as to the powers of detention by immigration authorities in the most popular travel destinations, such as maximum period of detention before the person is brought before a court or must be released, and the extent to which there is an enforceable right to notify family and to have access to legal advice.
Or might that turn the spotlight on whether our immigration authorities treat the citizens of other jurisdictions in a like fashion?
Gladys Li, Admiralty
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