'All 12 Detainees On The Mainland In Good Health'

The Immigration Department said on Saturday that they have learnt from mainland authorities that the 12 Hong Kong people who are being detained in Shenzhen are in good health, and they are aiding the families who have sought help over the matter.

The mainland coast guard had detained them last month as they tried to flee the city by boat to Taiwan. In a media briefing on Saturday, family members of six of the detainees had raised fear over not being allowed access to the arrested people and blamed the Hong Kong government was helping them.

In a statement issued soon after the families’ briefing, the department said it had taken a proactive approach in dealing with enquiries regarding the detentions.

It said families of ten detainees have sought help from them, and it has contacted the families multiple times and explained mainland laws to them.

The department added that it has explained to some families the procedures needed if the detainees need medicines, and they can pass their requests and inquiries to mainland authorities, according to established mechanisms.

One family had earlier complained that the authorities were not helping them after the mainland officials demanded proof to authenticate family members of the detainees.

In the statement, the department said it had received a request for help from a family member on Friday night of a relationship certificate needed to appoint a lawyer and the authorities have issued the required papers on Saturday morning.