With regard to Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work, the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, today (January 13) led members of the dedicated task force from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department (ImmD) to begin their itinerary in Thailand to meet with different parties and further follow up on relevant cases.
In the morning, Mr Cheuk and the dedicated task force were received by 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, including the department dedicated to combating human trafficking activities. During the meeting, Mr Cheuk presented the situation regarding relevant request-for-assistance cases and received positive feedback. Both sides also exchanged intelligence. Mr Sodsong expressed that the Thai authorities attached great importance to the situation and will spare no effort in assisting with the safe return of Hong Kong assistance seekers as soon as possible.
In the afternoon, members of the dedicated task force called on the Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Wu Zhiwu. Mr Cheuk thanked the Minister and staff of the Embassy for their deep concern over the cases by continuing to follow up and provide appropriate and practicable assistance, as well as their strong support to the work of the ImmD all along. Mr Cheuk and the dedicated task force had a meeting with officers of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok in the evening.
The SB dedicated task force was established in August 2022 to co-ordinate follow-up action by relevant law enforcement agencies for cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work.
​The dedicated task force will continue its visit to Thailand tomorrow (January 14).
Follow this news feed: East Asia