Recognizing the large gap in protection for refugees and asylum-seekers in Hong Kong, two lawyers envisioned the creation of a non-governmental organization (“NGO“) that provides legal aid to refugees seeking protection from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR“). The two founders, Raquel Amador and Jennifer Stone piloted the Refugee Advice Unit as a part of Christian Action in October 2005. The Refugee Advice Unit established a solid reputation among asylum-seekers and refugee-serving agencies in Hong Kong.
The number of refugees in Hong Kong needing assistance far exceeded available legal aid. The increasing demand for the Refugee Advice Unit’s services led to the creation and launch of the Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre Ltd. (“HKRAC”) as an independent organization. Christian Action supported the transition of the Refugee Advice Unit to the HKRAC which sought to increase capacity and provide assistance to a greater number of refugees.
HKRAC was established as an independent organization on June 1, 2007. The organization has since strengthened its legal expertise and capacity exponentially. Recognizing the strength and potential impact of the organization, five law firms embraced the work of the HKRAC and committed both funds and pro bono hours to the legal representation provided by the Centre. Shearman & Sterling was the first law firm to partner with HKRAC. Building upon that relationship, HKRAC has now joined forces with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Latham & Watkins; Linklaters; Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. HKRAC has expanded its reach through fundraising and by forging independent partnerships with university law faculties and law firms. It will continue to grow in order to meet the needs of refugees in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre (“HKRAC”) is the only dedicated provider of pro bono legal aid to refugees seeking protection from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR”) in Hong Kong. The HKRAC is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and ethics in the provision of advice to refugees.
The HKRAC recruits, trains, and supervises volunteer lawyers, caseworkers, and interpreters in the provision of pro-bono legal representation to refugees putting forward claims for asylum through UNHCR. The organization also makes referrals to local lawyers or psycho-social professionals where appropriate. We are independent from UNHCR and the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Their websites can be found at: www.unhcr.org and www.immd.gov.hk
Our goal is to empower asylum-seekers and refugees, generate awareness and support from the community, and to maximize our reach and impact by maintaining a high standard of excellence and ethics in our casework.