A senior figure in the disbanded democratic opposition in Hong Kong has accused the Home Office of hardening its stance towards those fleeing the former British colony after a series of “absurd” rejections of asylum claims.
The rejection notices have demanded a contact address for a dissident leader who is in hiding from the Hong Kong authorities, included incorrect personal details, and cited a New York Times article as evidence that they could not have secured a passport if they were in any real danger. One applicant acquitted in Hong Kong of ‘rioting’ was told this showed that there was no danger to her although the authorities soon after sought to bring her back to court.
