Two members of a Hong Kong hockey team have been arrested on suspicion of helping seven Indians to overstay their visas and lodge asylum claims.
The seven individuals were part of a 20-member Indian hockey team that was invited to Hong Kong last October. However, the seven did not engage in any hockey-related activities while here, but overstayed and filed non-refoulement claims instead, the SCMP reports.
The news follows a recent government announcement of plans to tighten border controls. Indians are being targeted, along with other nationals from countries that are thought to be sources of increasing numbers of illegal immigrants.
In response, human rights activists have reproached the government for negatively labelling asylum seekers and implying that their numbers are escalating out of control.
Mohan Chugani, president of the Indian Association Hong Kong, challenged the fact that Indians are being targeted:
“It’s a particularly insensitive time for the government to highlight this issue, especially as [Leung] is visiting India,” he said. “Other countries also have visa-free access to Hong Kong. Some of their citizens also abuse the system … why target only Indians?”
Non-refoulement prohibits the return of people to countries where they can face persecution.
The two arrested Hongkongers are of Indian descent, one being the manager of the hockey club that invited the Indian team.
The Immigration Department has said that it plans to arrest the seven men, who are aged between 21 and 31.The department also indicated that more arrests could be made after it discovered that the seven “had not been involved in any hockey activities during their stay”.
Related articles:
Indonesians and Indians may soon face visa restrictions in Hong Kong
