Security Bureau responds to enquiries on rescue of Hong Kong resident detained in Southeast Asian country
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In response to media enquiries about the progress of cases of Hong Kong residents being detained for illegal work in Southeast Asian countries, the Security Bureau (SB) today (February 2) confirmed that one more Hong Kong resident who had been detained for illegal work in Myanmar has been rescued and smoothly arrived in Thailand. The SB’s dedicated task force has been maintaining communication with the Thai authorities and the rescued Hong Kong resident, and will arrange for the individual’s return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.
The SB attaches great importance on cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained for illegal work. The Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, led the dedicated task force comprising members from the SB, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department to Bangkok, Thailand last month. They met with senior officials including the Minister of Justice (MoJ) of Thailand, Mr Tawee Sodsong, who is a member of the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand, and the heads of the enforcement departments under the MoJ, to follow up on related cases. Meanwhile, the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, also met and maintained communication with the Consuls-General of Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia in Hong Kong.
In addition, members of the dedicated task force were sent again to Thailand in late January to co-ordinate with various units, and held meetings with the Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police, Mr Phanthana Nutchanart, and the Director of Special Investigation and the Director of Human Trafficking under the MoJ of Thailand, with a view to arranging the return of the rescued Hong Kong resident as soon as possible. They will continue to actively assist and follow up on all relevant request-for-assistance cases of Hong Kong residents who have yet to return, striving for their return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.