Two overstaying Filipino women seek asylum

TWO Filipino women accused of overstaying in Hong Kong are seeking asylum by filing torture claims.

Irene Saturno Agra and Luzviminda Lazaro were charged with breach of condition of stay before Shatin Principal Magistrate Andrew Ma on December 4 but they informed the court that they were seeking asylum.

During the hearing, the prosecutor said the government was withdrawing the case against Agra after she filed a torture claim at the Immigration Department (ImmD).

The prosecutor added that while the ImmD was assessing the torture claim that Agra filed, the government was withdrawing the case against her.

Agra was charged with breach of condition of stay after remaining illegally in Hong Kong for two weeks. Ma ordered her release.

On the other hand, Lazaro was arrested on December 2 after she allegedly overstayed in the territory for more than nine years.

The prosecutor told the court that Lazaro also expressed her intention to file a torture claim before the ImmD.

Lazaro’s lawyer asked the judge to allow her to post bail but Ma turned it down, noting that the Filipino woman had overstayed in Hong Kong for a long time.

“Whatever terms she might come forward with don’t quite have [sway on her bail application],” Ma said.

“Defendant, you have just expressed your intention to file a…claim and at the moment (you have not presented any substance to that claim, and any possible information about that here)…therefore the bail application is refused,” Ma added.

He told Lazaro that she could still seek bail by filing an application before the High Court.

The next hearing for the case was set on December 24.

Hong Kong allows persons to seek asylum by filing a claim under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

However, Hong Kong authorities have complained that some persons were taking advantage of system so that they could stay longer in the territory.