Non-refoulement claim (Unified Screening Mechanism), Hong Kong

Hong Kong does not grant asylum or determine refugee status: the Refugee Convention does not apply to Hong Kong. Instead, people who are subject or liable to removal, deportation or surrender can lodge a non-refoulement claim with the Immigration Department. Since 3 March 2014 the Unified Screening Mechanism assesses all grounds together: torture, cruel or inhuman treatment under the Bill of Rights, and persecution (with reference to Article 33 of the Refugee Convention). A successful claim only protects you from being sent to the risk country; it does not give a right to stay or residence. Claims substantiated on persecution grounds are referred to UNHCR for refugee recognition and, if recognised, resettlement to a third country.