Solomon’s Story
Solomon grew up in a small village in Nigeria. Before he was born, his father got into a land dispute with neighbouring villagers, who later killed Solomon’s mother and four of his siblings. One night, Solomon was brutally attacked with metal objects, to the point that he suffered from a skull fracture. The attack left Solomon hospitalised for five months and with a three-year paralysis on the left side of his body. Solomon is still suffering from the long-term effects of the attacks: short-term memory loss and cognitive impairment.
In 2010, Solomon fled to Hong Kong, where he met his wife Dora, a local Hong Kong resident, who works as a clerk in the Medical Department of the Hospital Authority. Together they are raising four young children, all under four years of age. Unfortunately, their children need extensive medical care, for a host of congenital and acute conditions.
On top of their plight, Solomon’s dependent visa application was rejected, meaning that if Solomon’s non-refoulement claim does not succeed at the final stage of the legal proceedings, he would be forced to separate from his family. It’s unimaginable for Solomon to be apart from his children but it would be equally catastrophic if the family were to move to Nigeria, given the risks to his security, and the absence of health care for his children’s medical needs. Due to the repeated rejection and ongoing legal proceedings, Dora has developed depression and experiences high levels of stress and anxiety.
‘It’s unimaginable for Solomon to be apart from his children...’
Since his non-refoulement claim was rejected at the initial stages of the proceedings, HKDI assisted him in gathering new evidence (such as medical records of his head injury) and collaborated with a partner law firm to lodge a subsequent claim. The family is now currently waiting for the decision from the Director of Immigration. HKDI also provides counselling services for Dora and Solomon.
Solomon’s case shows the difficulties faced by asylum seekers who have families in Hong Kong, and the strenuous task of having to succeed in being granted protection by Hong Kong.
If further funding becomes available, HKDI will be able to help Solomon and families like him explore ways to keep their families together, including obtaining evidence from experts to support their applications for protection, and putting the best case forward so that they could stay safe and whole in Hong Kong.
