Refugee Union petitions the Legco Panel on Security
Oct 5th, 2018 | Advocacy, Government, Immigration, RU Report | Comment
The Refugee Union is gravely concerned about the tightening of security around refugees in Hong Kong. This only serves to worsen the conditions we suffer when applying for protection in the city. On 4 October 2018 a group of Refugee Union leaders submitted a petition to the Security Bureau ahead of a meeting of the Panel on Security (Legco) on the subject.
We stongly hope that the rights of refugees in Hong Kong will be protected while the Immigration Department improves the screening process (USM) by producing more credible results than the current 1% acceptance rate for the past decade.
The proposed tightening policy will pose a detrimental impact on the lives of refugees. We therefore stand against the proposal and call for humanitarian treatment by the Hong Kong Government. We hope that lawmakers and Government officials appreciate that no one leaves their home country unless their home is in the mouth of a shark.
We sincerely hope the Panel on Security will consider our needs and uphold the humanitarian virtues of Hong Kong.
Refugee talks at Chinese University
Oct 5th, 2018 | Advocacy, RU updates, programs, events | Comment
August Roundup at the Refugee Union
Sep 27th, 2018 | RU updates, programs, events | Comment
This August was a fruitful month at the Refugee Union. Members stayed active in attending our monthly meeting and voicing their opinions to improve the living condition and fundamental rights for the refugee community. Meanwhile, our regular programmes continued to operate for actualising refugees’ well-being and supporting where we can.
The Cultural Diversity Playgroup is held every Tuesday for refugee babies to learn through interactive activities. It also provides opportunities for other refugees of different cultural backgrounds to know each others and to share their own stories. The Canadian Tutoring Session on every Saturday offers free tutorial class for refugee children to help with their school assignments and revision. Interested members please visit our office for more information.
On 25 August, students of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) organised a one-day tour around the Hong Kong Island for refugee families, participants had a taste of Chinese culture “yum cha” and tried local cuisines “dim sum” at the Chinese restaurant, they also shared joyful moments in the Observation Wheel and The Peak.
On 31 August, the Social Welfare Department replied our petition sent earlier on 20 June during the World Refugee Day, click here for more information.
We would like to show our heartfelt gratitude to volunteers who stand with us. Keep visiting our website and Facebook to have the latest information. For enquiry, please don’t hesitate to visit our office or email us at info@refugeeunion.org.
Social Welfare Department reply to Refugee Union
Sep 11th, 2018 | Advocacy, Food, Government, Housing, Welfare | Comment
Mini Acts for the Greater Good is bringing paintings by refugees from all over the world to Hong Kong
Sep 4th, 2018 | Personal Experiences, RU updates, programs, events | Comment
Talents Displaced – a story of music and refugees in Hong Kong
Aug 23rd, 2018 | RU updates, programs, events | Comment
Summer News Round-Up at Refugee Union
Aug 13th, 2018 | RU updates, programs, events | Comment
This summer has been a productive one at Refugee Union. From new programming for members to monthly meetings and fundraisers, members have stayed active, alert, and focused on improving conditions for all the refugee community in Hong Kong.
This month, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) students started offering new Cantonese classes for adults and young people. While many Refugee Union members hope to be resettled elsewhere since Hong Kong has a less than 1% acceptance rate of refugees, they are making the most of their time in Hong Kong. Most members have waited years for their claims or their family’s claims to be processed, and being unable to work leaves them in a constant state of anxiety, boredom and limbo. Nevertheless, members do their best to be productive members of society, such as by studying Cantonese.
Our other programs continued this summer -including cultural diversity playgroup for infants and toddlers. This group is a great way for families in and out of the refugee community to come together, play, learn, and share their own backgrounds and experiences together. We have more in common with one another than one might think. If you are interested in attending with your baby, playgroup happens every other Tuesday. See our Facebook page for more information.
Some other exciting programming from this summer included a fellowship gathering with Junior Chamber International and Lions Club Hong Kong IFC, as well as “Are You Asleep Yet?” a Shakespeare for All (S4A) Interactive Concert for young people. We really appreciate groups reaching out to us, because such collaborations yield beautiful moments for folks from different communities and backgrounds to come together.
Finally, our monthly all-you-can eat and drink fundraiser, Drink for Justice, was a fantastic event with folks from all over Hong Kong. Last month it took place at Capo Centrale, a delicious new Italian restaurant in Soho, where guests were invited to take the stage in an open-mic. From spoken word to rap, drag king lip sync to ukelele, guests from in and out of the refugee community shared their talents with a raucous supportive crowd, all while raising awareness and money for the refugee community of Hong Kong. Look out for our next Drink for Justice happening later this month.
The situation continues to be fraught for refugees, as one can see in the articles on our webpage, and in reading or watching the daily news. Stand strong against fear and discrimination, and reach out to refugees in your community. Our differences only make us stronger. Should you have any questions, or interest in volunteering with Refugee Union, please email us: info@refugeeunion.org, or check out our Facebook page.
