Immigration Department repatriates 35 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their places of origin
The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out repatriation operations from May 13 to today (May 15). A total of 35 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants who were overstayers were repatriated to their places of origin. All the persons removed were former foreign domestic helpers. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment.
The ImmD is very concerned about the abuse of the non-refoulement claim mechanism and is aware that a number of claimants were former foreign domestic helpers. The ImmD has been co-operating with the relevant consulates-general in Hong Kong and will continue such co-operation to step up publicity and education for newly arriving foreign domestic helpers to help them understand that they should not abuse the non-refoulement claim mechanism.
Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.
The ImmD will continue to explore different feasible solutions to expedite the repatriation of unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants, and will actively co-ordinate with relevant authorities to optimise repatriation routes and the operation process. The ImmD will actively maintain close liaison with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments to repatriate unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong as soon as practicable through all appropriate measures.
Immigration Department repatriates 35 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their places of origin Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Immigration Department repatriates 35 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their places of origin Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SHYA attends APEC Women and Economy Forum in Shanghai
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy Forum in Shanghai today (May 15). Promoting high-quality development of women's cause is a shared responsibility of the international community. In her speeches at the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Women and the Economy and the panel discussion under the Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy, Miss Mak clearly stated that empowering women is one of the key policy priorities of the current-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. She also encouraged member economies participating in the forum to foster women's development together.
The theme of the 2026 APEC Women and the Economy Forum is "Promoting Women's Economic Empowerment to Prosper Together in the Asia-Pacific". Member economies engaged in exchanges and discussions on key issues such as women's participation in digital and smart development, green and low-carbon development, as well as employment and entrepreneurship.
Miss Mak attended the High-Level Policy Dialogue this morning. She noted in her speech that the country held the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing in 2025 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. Carrying forward the spirit of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the HKSAR Government has proactively responded to the proposals put forward by President Xi Jinping in the meeting, and has been creating more opportunities for the high-quality development of the women's cause. Relevant measures include the establishment of the Women Empowerment Fund in 2023, which has approved over 450 projects with a total funding allocation of over $66 million to date to support organisations in carrying out non-profit projects that facilitate women in developing their potential; the launch of the "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme, which pairs local female university students with women leaders as mentors to provide guidance on their career planning; and the organisation of the Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit, which brings together leaders responsible for relevant policies, representatives of international organisations and stakeholders to share experiences on women's development and rights.
Miss Mak said, "As Hong Kong, China continues to navigate economic transformation, the HKSAR Government echoes the four proposals raised by President Xi at the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in advancing women's all-round development and is committed to turning these proposals into actions. We stand ready to collaborate with fellow APEC economies in championing women's economic empowerment, so that the progress we make today will lay the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous tomorrow."
Miss Mak also participated as a guest speaker in the panel discussion on "Advancing Economic and Trade Cooperation" under the Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy in the afternoon. She stated that apart from implementing measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises and facilitate trade, the HKSAR Government is also committed to creating favourable conditions for women to fully participate in regional trade and economic co-operation.
Miss Mak reiterated that the HKSARGovernment'sefforts in promoting women's development fully demonstrated the Government's determination to enhance women's participation in economic and trade affairs. She encouraged APEC member economies to work together to promote women's development and jointly build a prosperous Asia-Pacific region.
The Chairperson of the Women's Commission, Dr Eliza Chan, attended the forum's related activities with the delegation. She spoke on the topic "Empowering Women in the Green Transition for a Sustainable Asia-Pacific" at the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy meeting yesterday (May 14).
Miss Mak will conduct visits to Shanghai tomorrow (May 16) to exchange views on the work of the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong in promoting women's development and family building initiatives.
Source: AI-found images
