Taiwanese civil rights group to propose draft law to help Hong Kongers fleeing to the island
Taiwanese civil rights groups are to propose a draft amendment of a local law to help Hong Kong protesters who had to seek safe harbor on the island, ahead of the anniversary of the anti-extradition bill movement.
More than 8,000 people have been arrested in Hong Kong over protesting since June 9 last year, some of whom have fled to Taiwan. Lin Jun-hong, spokesperson of the support group TW-HK Legal Support, said their 30 lawyers have so far offered assistance to up to 300 people. Lin said as China is to enact a national security law in Hong Kong, the Taiwanese government should actively assist Hong Kong people by establishing a clear asylum mechanism.
Section 18 of Taiwan’s Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macao Affairs stipulates that “Necessary assistance shall be provided to Hong Kong or Macau Residents whose safety and liberty are immediately threatened for political reasons.” Taiwanese civil groups on Tuesday will publish a draft amendment to law to make it clear how humanitarian assistance should be offered to Hong Kongers. The groups will also organize a rally on Saturday to urge for support for Hong Kongers.
Lin said existing laws in Taiwan were unclear and lawyers could not estimate how much time it would need to help Hong Kong people settle. The process has become clearer since April when there were asylum applications coming in from Hong Kong. He urged the ruling Democratic Progressive Party administration to provide more help.
Lin added he expected more Hong Kong people would come to Taiwan with the looming national security law imposed by Beijing. But he added that he admired young people’s determination in their fight for freedoms. He once met with a group of four who fled to Taiwan, but later chose to go back to Hong Kong to protest despite high risk of arrest, he said, “because they could not give Hong Kong up.”
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