This Guidebook gives:
(1) basic information about the detention system and different detention facilities, and links to resources where you can learn more, and
(2) information and advice about immigration detention rules and other matters.
We hope you find it useful.
The guidebook is available in the following languages:
- English
- Arabic
- Bahasa
- Bengali
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Chinese (Traditional)
- French
- Hindi
- Nepali
- Punjabi
- Sinhala
- Tagalog
- Thai
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
Download the guidebook
Links in the Guidebook
Where to get support and advice (p21)
There are various non-profit and religious organisations in Hong Kong supporting asylum seekers, refugees, migrant domestic workers, victims of trafficking, and other migrant groups. Below are some organisations you could contact as a start.
Non-profit and civil society organisations
| Name of organisation | Primarily serves | Primarily provides | Link to organisation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branches of Hope | Asylum seekers and refugees | Basic needs support; Children education programme; Adult development programme; Medical and legal referral; and Advice on durable solutions. | https://branchesofhope.org.hk/ |
| Equal Justice | Disadvantaged people | Legal information and support | https://www.equaljustice.org/ |
| HELP For Domestic Workers | Migrant domestic workers and employers | Legal support, educational information, and community building programmes | https://helpfordomesticworkers.org/en/home/ |
| Hong Kong Dignity Institute | Victims of trafficking | Psychological and legal assistance | https://www.dignityinstitute.com/ |
| Justice Centre Hong Kong | Asylum Seekers and Refugees, and Other Displaced Persons | Legal Information & support on USM claims & related proceedings, and Civil remedies for unlawful detention; and Access to psychosocial support | https://www.justicecentre.org.hk/ |
| Mission for Migrant Workers ( MFMW Limited) | Migrant Domestic Workers and Employers | Guidance assistance; Outreach service; Prison and hospital visits; Shelter and food assistance; Referrals to professional services; Training and education; Organising and campaign support; Women’s empowerment; and Advocacy for social inclusion | https://www.migrants.net/ |
| The Hong Kong Society for Asylum-Seekers and Refugees | Asylum seekers and refugees | Basic needs support, community education, youth and women education programmes, and advocacy | https://www.facebook.com/HKSASR/ |
More information about immigration detention (p22)
- Know Your Rights booklet for immigration detainees
- “Stuck in the system”, a data story introduction to immigration detention in Hong Kong
- “Could it happen to me? Immigration detention in Hong Kong” , an animated video explaining the pathways to detention
- Data visualisations related to immigration detention in Hong Kong
Endnotes (p22-23)
1
Immigration (Places of Detention) Order (Cap. 115B), https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap115B
2 https://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_offdr/sub_crhomes/
3,4 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/statistics_on_immigration_detain
5 https://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_offdr/sub_crhomes/
6
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/4/226731/Tai-Tam-prison-to-reopen-for-asylum-seekers
7 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/clarification_regarding_criminal
8
https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/detainees_at_cic_in_2021
9 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/detainees_at_mtkdc_in_2021
10 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/average_daily_detainee_populatio?nocache=incoming-3664#incoming-3664
11 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/demographic_information_at_tmcjh
12
https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/detainees_at_cic_in_2021
13 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/yearly_admittance_to_mtkdc_in_20
14 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/number_of_detainees_held_at_tai
15 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/demographic_information_of_migra
16 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/data_on_length_duration_of_deten
17 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/data_on_lengths_of_stay_at_tmcjh
18 https://immigrationdetentionhk.net/en/data-viz/#length-det-cic
19 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/lengths_of_detention_at_cic
20 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/data_on_length_duration_of_deten_2
21
https://immigrationdetentionhk.net/en/data-viz/#length-det-mtk
22,23,24 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/data_on_sections_of_io_that_immi
25 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/notice_given_upon_detention_revi
26
Immigration (Treatment of Detainees) Order (Cap. 115E), https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap115E
27
Prison Rules (Cap. 234A), https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap234A
28,29 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/detention_policy_as_of_august_20#incoming-2043
30 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/704/response/2043/attach/2/CIC%20Operational%20Manual%20Treatment%20of%20
Detainees.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
31 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/704/response/2043/attach/3/Ma%20Tau%20Kok%20Detention%20Centre%20Operational%20
Manual%20Treatment%20of%20Detained%20Persons.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
32 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/detainees_involved_in_physical_c
33,34 https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr2022/english/panels/se/papers/se20221206cb2-968-2-e.pdf
35 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/704/response/2043/attach/2/CIC%20Operational%20Manual%20Treatment%20of%20
Detainees.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
36 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/704/response/2043/attach/3/Ma%20Tau%20Kok%20Detention%20Centre%20Operational%20
Manual%20Treatment%20of%20Detained%20Persons.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
37 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/languages_of_notice_to_immigrati
38 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/1002/response/3004/attach/3/Castle%20Peak%20Bay%20Immigration%20Centre%20
Information%20Leaflet%20for%20Detainees.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
39
https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/regarding_information_leaflet_fo
40
https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdf/arrestguide_en.pdf
41 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/notice_given_upon_detention_of_m
42 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/968/response/3052/attach/3/S.32%20Notice%20on%20Detention%20Policy.pdf?cookie_
passthrough=1
43 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/968/response/3052/attach/5/S.32%20Notice%20of%20Review%20of%20Detention.
pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
44 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/968/response/3052/attach/4/S.32%20Notice%20of%20Detention.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
45 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/968/response/3052/attach/6/S.37ZK%20Notice%20on%20Detention%20Policy.pdf?cookie_
passthrough=1
46 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/968/response/3052/attach/8/S.37ZK%20Notice%20of%20Review%20of%20Detention.
pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
47 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/968/response/3052/attach/7/S.37ZK%20Notice%20of%20Detention.pdf?cookie_
passthrough=1
48,49 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/visits_to_cic_and_mtkdc
50
Section 203, Prison Rules (Cap. 234A), https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap234A
51,52 https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/social_visit_cic/social_visit_cic.html
53
*“A detainee shall not receive visitors except with the prior permission of the Superintendent given in his discretion”, Immigration (Treatment of Detainees) Order (Cap. 115E), https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap115E
54
https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/visits_to_tgci
55
Section 203, Prison Rules (Cap. 234A), https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap234A
56
“A detainee must be afforded reasonable opportunity to communicate with a legal adviser and to consult with the legal adviser in the presence, but out of the hearing, of an officer unless the communication or consultation would cause unreasonable hindrance or delay to the investigation of the suspected offence or the administration of justice.” – Immigration (Treatment of Detainees)
Order (Cap. 115E), https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap115E
57
“The legal adviser of a prisoner may, with the permission of the Commissioner, interview the prisoner with reference to any other legal business in the sight and hearing of an officer of the Correctional Services Department.” – Prison Rules (Cap. 234A),
https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap234A
58 https://www.csd.gov.hk/english/facility/facility_ind/ins_hk_tgci.html
59,60
https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/phone_calls_in_cic_and_mtkdc
61,62,63
https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/phone_calls_in_ttg
64 https://www.csd.gov.hk/english/socialvisit/socialvisit_articles/mrp_sso.html,
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/social_visit_cic/hand_in_articles.html
65 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/guidelines_on_private_clothing_r_2
66 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/guidelines_on_private_clothing_r
67 https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/guidelines_on_private_clothing_r_3
68
https://www.ombudsman.hk/whoweare/?lang=en#tag_The_Ombudsman_Message
69
https://www.ombudsman.hk/howtocomplain/?lang=en#tag_Lodge_a_Complaint
70
https://www.judiciary.hk/en/court_services_facilities/sc.html
71
https://www.judiciary.hk/en/publications/judfactsheet.html
72
The original RTHK article that quotes this number is no longer available online. However, a relevant quote (in Chinese) can be found in this link: https://accessinfo.hk/en/request/unlawful_detention_claims_brough?unfold=1