DOVC
On April 12, the Sunday Times of the United Kingdom reported that Member of Parliament Wera Hobhouse was denied entry into Hong Kong upon her arrival at Hong Kong International Airport on the 10th, She was not provided with any information regarding the reasons for her denial and was subsequently deported back to the United Kingdom.
The government of Hong Kong announced today, the 14th, that individuals entering the territory should be cognizant of their prior actions. Furthermore, it is the duty of immigration officers to inquire regarding the purpose of entry. Should these individuals decline to respond to pertinent questions, it may hinder the processing of their entry.
The Sunday Times reported on April 12 that Hobhouse traveled to Hong Kong with her husband to visit their newly born grandson; however, she was deported after being detained for five hours, whereas her husband was granted entry.
The Government of Hong Kong responded to media inquiries today, asserting its policy of refraining from commenting on individual cases. The Immigration Department manages each entry case in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations, with officers responsible for inquiring to ascertain the purpose of entry. Individuals entering the territory should be cognizant of their prior actions; refusal to respond to inquiries regarding their purpose of entry does not facilitate the processing of their admission.
Furthermore, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Eric Chan, convened a meeting with Greg Hands, the UK Minister for Trade Policy, who is currently visiting Hong Kong, to exchange perspectives regarding the incident, during which he reaffirmed the government’s stance.
Hobhouse is recognised as the first British Member of Parliament to be denied entry into Hong Kong since the handover. Furthermore, she is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), an organisation that has critically examined Beijing’s human rights record.
