Four refugees, torture claimant seek ruling on right to work in Hong Kong

Four refugees and a successful torture claimant who are demanding they be allowed to work in Hong Kong brought their fight to the Court of Appeal yesterday, after being stranded in the city for years.

The five complainants, who have been jobless for between seven and 12 years, are challenging what they say is the unlawful blanket policy of the Immigration Department prohibiting recognised refugees and torture claimants from working in the city. The department said it exercised such control under the Immigration Ordinance.

The appellants said they had been relying on welfare and charity, and had little hope of resettling in another country. Some of them became depressed and suffered from other mental illnesses.

The refugee status of the two Pakistanis, a Burundian and a Sri Lankan was mandated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Another Sri Lankan is so far the only torture claimant recognised by the Immigration Department.

Michael Fordham QC, for the appellants, said: "They are trapped in the sense that they cannot engage in any economic activities. They cannot engage in employment and there is no assurance they can go to another country."

Ruling on their case last year, the Court of First Instance said the government did not have an obligation to permit them to work. Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung said the Director of Immigration had full discretion to grant them permission on a case-by-case basis.