Exit of opposition lawmakers leaves Hong Kong NGOs, civil society lamenting lack of allies in Legco

Members of the non-profit Justice Centre watched in dismay two weeks ago as Hong Kong lawmakers sparred with officials over a bill affecting immigrants claiming refugee status.Local human rights advocates and lawyers had warned that the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2020 went too far by granting the authorities wider powers to lock up the claimants and allowing immigration officers to carry firearms at a dedicated detention facility.The authorities said the bill was meant to end abuse of the…