First Hong Kong anti-extradition protestor granted asylum in Germany
On October 14th 2020, a 22-year-old student of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), who fled Hong Kong last November last, was granted refugee status for three years by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge, BAMF). This is the first instance of a protestor receiving asylum in Germany following activities in the anti-extradition law movement.
Germany previously offered asylum to two Hong Kong Activists- Ray Wong Toi-Yeung, the founder of Hong Kong Indigenous (HKI) and co-founder of Haven Assistance, and Alan Li Tung-Sing, a former member of HKI- in May 2018. This made Germany the first country to grant asylum to Hong Kong citizens.
Hong Kong Watch welcomes the decision by the German Government to grant asylum to the female pro-democracy student. However, her case is just one of many young vulnerable Hong Kongers who face political persecution, the risk of arbitrary arrest, and long jail-sentences under the National Security Law if they stay in the city. According to Haven Assistance, a coalition of Hong Kong activists in exile, she was also seriously mistreated while her case was being processed in the German refugee camp.
This points to the need for wider consideration by Germany and other EU countries to improve their asylum processes and introduce a lifeboat scheme to make it easier for young Hong Kongers to study and work in Europe as a pathway to escape the deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong.
On 28th July, EU Member States at the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to review ‘asylum, migration, visa and residence policy’ as part of a package of measures to respond to the introduction of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.
Commenting on the acceptance of her asylum application, the student protestor said:
“I am grateful to the German government for granting me asylum. The German government has provided me with basic necessities, such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation and basic medical services”.
“If the German government could consider simplifying the asylum application process for Hong Kong protesters, such as allowing them to choose freely their place of residence while waiting for the decision, it would be of great convenience and support to them.”
Hong Kong Watch’s Senior Policy Adviser, Sam Goodman, commenting on the case in question and the urgent need for a lifeboat scheme said:
“We welcome the German Government’s decision to grant asylum to the female protester. It demonstrates Germany’s commitment to stand up for human rights and its recognition that under the National Security Law many young Hong Kongers face political persecution, arbitrary arrest and detention if they stay in the city.”
“In July, Germany along with other EU Member States agreed to bring in proposals to make it easier for young Hong Kongers to work and study in Europe as part of an international lifeboat policy. Nearly three months later, we believe it is time for the German Government to act on its promise and join likeminded partners in ensuring that every Hong Konger has a viable insurance policy in the face of a further crackdown on their rights.”
Reference
Haven Assistance’s Press Release can be read here: https://www.facebook.com/HavenAssistance/posts/158219392621716
The European Council’s statement on Hong Kong can be found here: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/07/28/hong-kong-council-expresses-grave-concern-over-national-security-law/