After a distressing incident revealed a dead foetus at a domestic worker's residence, Hong Kong police have arrested eleven foreign domestic workers for suspected illegal abortions. The investigation highlights the complex legal framework surrounding abortion in the region.
Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Abortions Among Domestic Workers in Hong Kong
Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Abortions Among Domestic Workers in Hong Kong
Eleven domestic workers have been arrested amid a police investigation into illegal abortion practices following the discovery of a deceased foetus.
Eleven foreign domestic workers have been apprehended in Hong Kong following a police investigation into illegal abortion practices, which surfaced after a medical emergency involving one of the women. The accused, aged between 30 and 40, were initially brought in for questioning after paramedics discovered a deceased foetus, believed to be 28 weeks old, at a home in Yuen Long.
The investigation began in June when a 39-year-old domestic worker collapsed at her employer's home, leading to the grim discovery of the foetus concealed in a laundry basket. This alarmed the ambulance team, prompting further inquiries. When questioned, the woman confessed to purchasing abortion pills from a friend who was also a foreign domestic worker.
Following this revelation, police conducted multiple raids between late July and early August, resulting in the arrest of ten additional women. As the investigation unfolded, five of the arrested have been formally charged, with others released on bail and one remaining in custody for continued interrogation.
According to Inspector Lam Ho-yin of the Yuen Long district crime squad, preliminary findings suggest that the issue does not point towards a criminal syndicate but rather an individual domestic worker who allegedly imported the abortion pills from abroad.
In Hong Kong, the legality surrounding abortion is strictly regulated, allowing for the procedure only under certain conditions, including severe health risks to the mother or significant fetal abnormalities before 24 weeks, and only in dire circumstances beyond that threshold. Those accused of facilitating or obtaining abortion drugs can face severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.
In light of these events, police have urged employers to encourage their domestic workers to seek medical advice if they suspect they are pregnant. Current government statistics indicate that Hong Kong is home to roughly 368,000 foreign domestic workers, predominantly from the Philippines and Indonesia, who often qualify for minimal wages as set by law.
