Parents in Hong Kong have been sending one in five Nepalese students to Nepal against their will, according to a survey publicized on Friday by Hong Kong Unison, a non-profit organization concentrating on equal opportunities and integration for ethnic minorities. The findings were disclosed during a press conference led by Executive Director John Tse, titled “Challenges Faced by Nepalese Youth in Hong Kong.”
The survey, which included 268 Nepalese students, revealed that over 50 individuals had been sent back to Nepal against their preference. Of those, 40% were forced to leave due to family issues and financial constraints in Hong Kong. Some young Nepalese girls reportedly faced more severe situations, being sent back to Nepal for forced marriages.
Male students often faced deportation due to drug use, with 70% of survey participants acknowledging drug abuse as a significant problem within the Nepalese community in Hong Kong. This issue has contributed to an “alarming” drop-out rate among Nepalese students, which is more than 15 times higher than the city average. Tse emphasized the importance of education for these young students and described the scale of the problem as “disturbing.” He argued that restricting children’s freedom because of lifestyle choices undermines Hong Kong’s values, urging for initiatives to empower young Nepalis and increase awareness.
Nepalis constitute one of the largest ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, following Filipinos, Indonesians, Indians, and Pakistanis. As of 2021, roughly 29,700 Nepalis reside in Hong Kong, with over 30% of the community being younger than 24. The report comes amid broader sociopolitical challenges in Nepal, such as gender inequality, and concerns about the human rights landscape in Hong Kong, where two former UK judges recently stepped down from the city’s courts. Additionally, Hong Kong authorities continue to make arrests related to dissent.
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