回應特首退出《酷刑公約》論 協進會難民小組震驚憂削人權 (2016年01月15日)
【時代論壇訊】
附屬於香港基督教協進會的基督徒難民事工小組發出聲明，對於行政長官梁振英表示有需要時考慮香港退出《禁止酷刑公約》，表示震驚和錯愕。
聲明以〈保護免受酷刑是絕對權利〉為題，強烈反對任何可能威脅尋求庇護者生命的行動，也擔心退出公約會同時剝奪香港市民的人權。
對於特首在《施政報告》中宣佈全面檢討處理免遣返聲請的策略，聲明擔心這意味著收緊尋求庇護人士的處理方法。聲明指出，終審法院曾明確指出禁止酷刑乃絕對權利，不能加以摧毀。
聲明由小組召集人陸漢思牧師（Rev. Hans Lutz）以小組名義發出，中英雙語，透過香港基督教協進會臉書專頁發放。該小組是協進會社會公義及民生關注委員會的附屬小組，於每次會議報告工作進度。
梁振英是在週三《施政報告》記者會上回應提問時表示，在處理難民引用《禁止酷刑公約》提出免遣返聲請時，若有需要會考慮退出《公約》。週三發表的《施政報告》第252段提及，政府將全面檢討處理免遣返聲請的策略，包括檢討《入境條例》，同時加快審核聲請，打擊嚴重的非法入境、逾期居留等問題。這是今年《施政報告》在治安方面唯一公佈的具體措施。
〈保護免受酷刑是絕對權利〉
作為來自不同教會及關注在港尋求庇謢者的基督徒群體，我們對於行政長官昨天的發言感到錯愕。在其施政報告中，他宣佈政府將全面檢討處理免遣返聲請的策略，包括檢討《入境條例》。從過往經驗可知，這只意味著會對尋求庇謢者的處理方法作進一步收緊而已。我們更為震驚的是，行政長官在記者會上回應時表示，如有需要時考慮香港退出《禁止酷刑公約》，響應了世界各地要求撒回人權條約此等倒退做法的聲音。
由於《禁止酷刑公約》的保障範圍廣泛，退出公約也會同時剝奪香港市民的人權。
禁止酷刑是《公民權利和政治權利國際公約》及《基本法》第39條的一部份，而終審法院也曾明確指出禁止酷刑乃絕對權利，不能加以摧毀，所以沒有人可以在其人身受到威脅時被迫遣返其國家。
作為基督徒，我們因著福音對弱勢之異鄉客的關愛和款待，關注尋求庇謢者的需要。所以，我們強烈反對任何可能威脅這些鄰舍生命的行動。
基督徒難民事工小組
陸漢思
〈Protection against Torture is an Absolute Right〉
As a group of Christians from different churches caring for asylum seekers in Hong Kong we are dismayed by statements the Chief Executive has made. In his Policy Address he announced that Government will conduct a comprehensive review of the strategy of handling non-refoulement claims, including a review of the Immigration Ordinance. From past experience we know that this can only mean a further tightening of the way under which asylum seekers are treated. We were even more shocked by the Chief Executive’s answer in the press conference that the Hong Kong SAR might withdraw from the Convention against Torture. Thus C.Y. Leung has added his voice to that of those all over the world who advocate the rolling back of human rights instruments.
Since the scope of the Convention against Torture is wide, a withdrawal would also take away human rights of Hong Kong citizens.
The prohibition of torture is part of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and entrenched under article 39 of the Basic Law. The Court of Final Appeal has held that protection against torture is an absolute right and that no derogation is possible. Therefore no person can be returned to a country where he or she might face the danger of being tortured.
As Christians who care for asylum seekers we are guided by the gospel values of compassion and hospitality to vulnerable strangers. We strongly oppose any move which could threaten their lives.
Hans Lutz for
Christian Refugee Ministry
2016.01.14
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