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Minor Matters?

Writer's picture: Peter K F Cheung SBSPeter K F Cheung SBS
  1. FADE IN.


  2. Act 1


  3. EXT. ROADS - DAY


  4. Driving his WIFE, PETER switches on the car radio. We hear: A couple were sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a 5-year old daughter. She was repeatedly thrown towards the ceiling. They also got 9.5 years for child abuse. The step-grandmother got 5 years for ill-treatment of the deceased girl.


  5. PETER: It's dreadful. How can people do that?


  6. WIFE: The mother wasn't the maternal one. Don't know how old was the step-grandmother?


  7. Pausing.


  8. PETER: She can't be very old as her grandchildren were minors.


  9. Pausing.


  10. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): How long, exactly, is a life sentence in Hong Kong?


  11. Pausing.


  12. PETER: There's the possibility of parole due to good behaviour, after serving over 20 odd years.


  13. PETER (V.O.): That's the-body-in-the-box murder case in 1975. The prisoner has been freed.


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. OFFICE - DAY


  16. A STAFF is briefing Peter.


  17. STAFF: Mr Cheung, please check if the subsequent claim for non-refoulement relates to the claimant only, and that no minors are involved.


  18. Peter nods.


  19. STAFF (Cont'd): The court has recently handed down a judgment on the subject.


  20. INT. STUDY - DAY


  21. Peter checks an incoming mail.


  22. PETER (V.O.): It's a webinar invitation about representing child claimants...April 30? I can't make it.


  23. Pausing.


  24. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That day, I'm appealing a non-refoulement case on grounds of right to life, not subject to the risk of torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and well-found fear of persecution.


  25. Pausing.


  26. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The theme of the webinar should be about what the office staff briefed me the other day. Let me check it out myself.


  27. Researching.


  28. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, the Fabio Arlyn Timogan & Ors case - a Court of Appeal decision.


  29. Reading.


  30. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Minors should be legally represented. Their human right claims should be considered separately from their parents'. This is Hong Kong's high standards of fairness.


  31. Thinking.


  32. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Hong Kong has been protecting aliens' human rights to a high standard. I feel it myself, as counsel on behalf of claimants.


  33. Thinking.


  34. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But how about the protection of minors in Hong Kong?


  35. Pausing.


  36. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It is believed that no love is greater than Moms' and no care is greater than Dad's.


  37. Pausing.


  38. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But the recent infamous Hong Kong child abuse case evidences that a minor's right to life, not subject to the risk of torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and fear of "persecution" can be derogated by those associated with the minor but who wouldn't play their due roles.


  39. Pausing.


  40. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Such aren't minor matters.


  41. Pausing.


  42. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Hong Kong Law Reform Commission might propose making failure to act on evidence of serious physical injuries, psychological or psychiatric harm a criminal offence.


  43. Pausing.


  44. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But why do some parents abuse their children?


  45. Researching.


  46. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The parents' might have been abused during their own childhood. They might have socio-economic stress. They might also lack parenting skills.


  47. Pausing.


  48. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): And why don't caregivers help prevent child abuse?


  49. Researching.


  50. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): They might think they're over-reacting; its none of their business; or they leave it to the professionals.


  51. Pausing.


  52. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It's like a hidden pandemic.


  53. Peter sighs.


  54. Act 3


  55. EXT. GOLD COAST - DAY


  56. Swimming near the shore, Peter sees FAMILES playing with sand and water.


  57. PETER (V.O.): These're happy and lucky ones.


  58. EXT. ROADS - DAY


  59. Driving.


  60. PETER (V.O.): Parenthood is a choice. As a parent, I put my children's well-being and happiness ahead of my own.


  61. Pausing.


  62. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I've never said "No" to my daughters.


  63. FADE OUT.


  64. THE END


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