Amnesty Urges HK Not To Send Sisters Back To Saudi

Human rights organisation Amnesty International on Thursday appealed to Hong Kong authorities to allow two Saudi Arabian sisters to either remain in the city or travel to a third country as the time they are allowed to stay in the SAR drew to a close.

Amnesty said Hong Kong must not return the two sisters to Saudi Arabia, where their lives would be in grave danger.

The sisters, known as Reem and Rawan and aged 18 and 20 respectively, fled the kingdom after suffering repeated beatings by male family members and being treated like slaves, Amnesty said. They have been hiding in Hong Kong for close to six months.

They have said they arrived in the city en route to Melbourne, and Saudi consulate officials tried to kidnap them at the airport.

They said they have renounced Islam and fear being killed if they are returned to Saudi Arabia. The duo also said they cannot reveal their names and identity because it will put them in further danger.

Amnesty said the sisters' passports have been revoked, making it impossible for them to extend their visas to remain in Hong Kong. It said they have been "tolerated" as "overstayers", but that period of toleration is set to expire on Thursday.

"Hong Kong authorities could extend the period of toleration, which would allow the women to explore third country resettlement options," Amnesty said.

"The women's lives are at risk if the Hong Kong authorities do not fulfil their responsibilities," said Kate Schuetze, Amnesty International's Refugee Researcher,

The rights group said the sisters would likely face criminal charges for leaving their homes without the permission of their male guardian, for escaping the country, and for renouncing Islam – a serious crime in Saudi Arabia that carries the death penalty.