Binita’s Story

Binita had previously worked as a beautician in South Asia, and was in difficult financial and family circumstances. She was introduced to a seemingly wealthy and respectable job consultant, Farah, who offered to arrange work for her in Hong Kong- in exchange for an agency fee of HKD 6,700 —Binita’s life savings. On the day of Binita’s flight to Hong Kong, Farah dropped a bag with what seemed to be household/beauty products at her door, asking Binita to do her a favour and bring the bag to her relatives in Hong Kong, turning Binita into an un knowing drug mule. Upon arrival, Binita was intercepted at customs of Hong Kong International Airport. The officers found ca.1.4 kg of cocaine hidden in the bars of soap (smelt like soap too)and cosmetics boxes within her suitcase. She was convicted to more than 24 years of imprisonment. Like many other vulnerable individuals caught in global drug trafficking schemes, she -and no ther trafficker -had to bear the punishment of the criminal operation.

HKDI, together with counsel Albert Wong, Patricia Ho & Associates, and with students from the Refugee & Human Trafficking Clinic in the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong, assisted Binita to prepare a judicial review to challenge the authorities’ decision not to classify her as a victim of trafficking, without disclosing any reasons for this decision. On 24 March 2023, permission to launch a judicial review was granted (first stage)and the case is now pending judgment.

HKDI continues to support Binita as friends as she struggles through the uncertainties of the legal cases. If further funding becomes available, HKDI would be able to seek official evaluations from psychiatrists to help assess her mental health and present that information to the authorities. Funding would also help her to potentially obtain expert reports from international human trafficking experts.