DAB Protests Against Germany's Asylum Decision

Around 20 members of the DAB on Tuesday held a demonstration outside the United Centre at Admiralty where the German consulate is housed, to protest against the country's decision to grant asylum to two Hong Kong fugitives.

The protesters also handed a letter to the consulate to express their discontent, noting that the two men – Ray Wong and Alan Li – were to face a criminal trial in the SAR for allegedly rioting during the 2016 Mong Kok clashes.

DAB lawmaker Holden Chow said the the German authorities are misleading the international community with their action.

"According to international rules and practice, if you grant asylum to people, you have political persecution. So that's why we say the decision made by the German authorities is definitely causing harm to our judicial system. It is definitely misleading," Chow said.

The lawmaker also said that a statement the consulate issued earlier in the day had not explained the rationale behind the decision.

In the statement, the consulate had said that Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees is in charge of the procedure for granting refugee status and takes decisions independently of the government.

DAB member Clement Woo, who is a district councillor, said Wong and Li were not facing charges because of their political stance but their radical action during the Mong Kok riot. He said he thinks Germany's decision was unfair.