我們是一群關心社會公義及人權狀況的基督徒，我們關注到近年，在香港等候甄別的尋求政治庇護難民的處境每況愈下，他們不但缺乏經濟及物資的基本生活援助，更遭受不人道的對待，包括多次被警方及入境處無理拘禁，在拘禁期間遭受虐待，身體和尊嚴皆受到損害。我們認為政府：
不應無理拘禁尋求庇護人士
尋求庇護人士需要在港等候聯合國（駐港）難民事務高級專員署核實其難民身份，屬於「有理由」逾期逗留。按照《基本法》第28條，保障非港人免受任意或非法逮捕、拘留或監禁的權利。因此，有關當局無理拘留尋求庇護人士有違基本法原則。
未有履行國際承諾
因著戰亂、政治及宗教迫害等而逃亡到香港的人士，在港得不到基本生活的援助，又不允許透過工作來賺取生活費，令他們只好露宿街頭，更不幸的是有婦女遭強暴後，還憂慮被遣返回國，生命面臨危險而不敢報案（參考關注性暴力協會提交立法會資料）。政府應遵守已簽署的國際公約《禁止酷刑公約（CAT）》的條文，「如有充分理由相信任何人在另一國家將有遭受酷刑的危險，締約國不得驅逐、遣返或引渡至該國。」保障尋求庇護人士人身安全，簽發臨時證明文件，確保她/他們可以安心在港等候難民的審批結果。
沒有提供基本生活支援
尋求庇護人士當中有單親媽媽、孕婦、少年及兒童，基本生活保障完全被忽略。政府只給予成人每月千多元租金卻不包括兒童及孕婦的生活需要，又不准許有工作機會，致使幼兒及婦女因缺乏營養食物而危及健康。
藉著《國際難民日》，我們對在港千多名的尋求庇護人士表達關注，同時希望向香港政府提出以下四項訴求：
1.促請當局正視難民情況，與民間團體合作製定適用於本地的難民政策及措施。
2.提供適切的生活物資、援助及就業機會，發臨時居留證明。
3.履行國際公約，保障尋求庇護者的人權及人身安全，免受侵犯及拘留。
4. 協助尋求庇護者在身份核實程序中，協助提供翻譯員及法律支援。
發起團體﹕Asylum Seekers Concern Group「關注尋求庇護者小組」
小組成員：不同宗派之個別基督徒、香港基督徒學生運動、香港婦女基督徒協會、香港基督徒學會
Christians Petitioning For Humane Treatment Towards Asylum Seekers in Hong Kong
We are a group of Christians concerned with social justice and human rights in Hong Kong. We are gravely concerned with the steadily deteriorating conditions faced by the asylum seekers in Hong Kong. Not only are they seriously lacking in economic and material assistance required for basic sustenance, they were treated in inhumane, degrading and discriminatory ways. Such examples include: multiple groundless detentions by both the police and the customs, abuse during period of detention, impairing the health and self-esteem of those being detained. We strongly feel that the government:
Should stop groundless detention of asylum seekers
Asylum seekers do need to wait in Hong Kong for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to verify their asylum claims, and overstay their visas with a reasonable cause. According to the basic law of HKSAR Article 28, “No Hong Kong resident shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful arrest, detention or imprisonment.” Therefore, the associated government units do violate the basic law when arbitrarily detaining asylum seekers.
Non-fulfillment of International Human Rights Convention
Asylum seekers escape to Hong Kong due to a variety of reasons, such as war, political or religious persecution. However, the resources they receive cannot maintain sustenance. Prohibited from working to earn a living, some are forced to live on the streets. Most unfortunately, there had been instance of female being sexually abused, and reluctant to report to police due to fear of being sent back (Please refer to information sent to legislative council by Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women) The government should adhere to the clauses in the ratified international convention (United Nations Convention Against Torture): ”No State Party shall expel, return or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture.” We beseech the government to protect the safety of asylum seekers, and consider issuance of temporary document, so as to ensure an unperturbed stay during the process of asylum claims.
Failure to provide for basic sustenance
Among asylum seekers, there exists single mothers, pregnant women, teenagers and children; Yet, their fundamental survival needs are grossly overlooked. The government is willing to provide rent for adults (approximately 1,000 HKD), with this sum non-applicable to children and pregnant women. Prohibited from working and earning money, they are subject to dire threats of malnutrition and poor health.
With the International Refugee Day approaching, we show concern towards the 1000+ asylum seekers stranded in Hong Kong, and wish to voice our pleads towards the Hong Kong government:
1.The Government to face the asylum seeker situation, and work with NGO’s in devising appropriate policies for the asylum seekers
2.Provision for appropriate material resources, assistance and employment opportunities, as well as issuance of temporary visas.
3.Fulfillment of the Convention Against Torture, protect the human rights and safety of asylum seekers (against groundless abuse and detention).
4.Provision of translation and legal assistance during the process of asylum claims verification.
Originating organization: Asylum Seekers Concern Group
Constituents: Individual Christians of various denominations, Student Christian Movement Hong Kong, Hong Kong Women Christian Council, Hong Kong Christian Institute
Please go to sign the petition