Parents Of Detainee In Agony Since Arrest

The parents of one of the 12 Hongkongers detained on the mainland have said they've been under a lot of mental strain since their son was arrested, and accused the Hong Kong government of not doing enough to ease their plight.

Li Tsz-yin, 29, was charged with rioting and assaulting police in September last year and was one of the 12 accused of illegal border crossing when they allegedly tried to flee to Taiwan on a speedboat and were intercepted by Guangdong coast guard. The group have been detained in Shenzhen for almost a month.

His parents told RTHK that they have both been unable to sleep well since their son was detained, and are worried about whether he has been eating properly.

Li's mother said that she has been taking medication, and his father said he hasn't been able to eat well and had to seek help from government psychologists.

The father said he was upset the Hong Kong government hasn't been able to provide them with any actual help, despite officials claiming otherwise.

Li's mother said she and her son had a great relationship, and recalled that during the last few days before he left, he had asked to have a photo taken with her. She said that her son usually doesn't like having photos taken, but didn't think much of it at the time.

His father dismissed claims by the authorities that the legal system across the border was transparent, saying that his son has not been able to see a lawyer they'd appointed, and they won't accept any of the lawyers assigned by the mainland authorities.

The parents said that their only wish is that they will be able to see their son again so that the whole family can have dinner together.

Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said it was "reasonable and fair" to have the group tried on the mainland.

Lam said: "They are on bail, but they have absconded, so they have run away from their legal liabilities, but in the course of running away from their legal liabilities, they have committed another crime in another jurisdiction. So isn’t it reasonable and fair that these 12 people should first face their legal liabilities in that other jurisdiction according to the law? And thereafter, of course, we’ll arrange for them to come back and face the consequences."

Meanwhile, there are growing calls in Hong Kong for the government to seek the repatriation of the 12 detainees.

A group of district councillors submitted a petition containing 43,000 signatures, calling on the government to request their return.

Yau Tsim Mong councillor Owan Li said: "In terms of humanitarian considerations, Hong Kong society should strongly requested the central government of China and also the provincial government in Guangdong and Shenzhen, they should more (stronger) views to uphold the human rights of Hong Kong people."

______________________________