The Chief Executive meets the media after his policy address. Photo: RTHK
The Chief Executive CY Leung has indicated that Hong Kong may pull out from the United Nations Convention Against Torture if necessary.
In his policy address, Leung had said the government will conduct a comprehensive review of the strategy of handling non-refoulement claims, including a review of the Immigration Ordinance.
While speaking to the media later, he was asked if the review would include pulling out of the pact with the UN. He said the government "might consider it when necessary".
He also said the government will expedite screening of claims to address various acute problems such as illegal immigration and overstaying.
The Immigration Department there had said recently that there been a jump in the number of people seeking legal protection under the non-refoulement convention of the United Nations. The government says there are more than 10,000 cases pending as of October.
Under the UN pact, those who file non-refoulement claims cannot be send back to their home countries where they face the threat of torture or death.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1235555-20160113.htm
