HONG KONG
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International media organizations operate freely in Hong Kong but restrictions may be placed on the press under several ordinances of Hong Kong law. Such restrictions have rarely been imposed by the Government, however, which over the last few years has introduced legislation effectively eliminating earlier stricter provisions. Hong Kong media representatives have expressed concern over the provision of the 1988 film censorship ordinance that permits the censoring of a film if the film would seriously damage good relations with other territorial units. There was no repetition of the incident. last year when the authorities ordered cuts in a documentary film about events in China during 1989 for fear of seriously damaging relations with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Nevertheless, some persons may well practice self-censorship when dealing with the subject of China,
b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
These freedoms are practiced without hindrance. At times the Government, on the grounds of maintaining public order and security, has imposed limits on the size of groups presenting formal petitions to government authorities.
c. Freedom of Religion
Government policy and general practice ensure freedom of religion in Hong Kong.
d. Freedom of Movement Within the Country, Foreign
Travel, Emigration, and Repatriation
Travel documents are obtainable freely and easily, subject to neither arbitrary nor discriminatory practices. There is freedom of movement within Hong Kong. However, Hong Kong citizens, though citizens of a British dependent territory, do not enjoy the right of abode in the United Kingdom. wake of the heightened concern over the future of the territory after the Chinese Government's June 4, 1989, crackdown in Beijing, the British Parliament passed the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act of 1990 in July to grant full U.K. citizenship--including U.K. passports with the right of abode in Britain--to 50,000 heads of family and their dependents up to a total of 225,000 persons. The aim of the legislation is to convince selected Hong Kong people that with their new full British citizenship as an insurance policy, they should remain in Hong Kong to contribute to its future rather than emigrate. Many in Hong Kong, however, criticized the number of persons granted full British citizenship as insufficient. The Chinese Government has warned it may not recognize British passports granted under the nationality package and may restrict the provision of British consular protection to persons granted citizenship under the 1990 act.
In response to the large outflow of boat people from Vietnam to Hong Kong, the Government implemented a screening program for all Vietnamese arriving in Hong Kong after June 16, 1988. All new arrivals are held in prison-like camps. Those who are determined not to be refugees are held in the camps until their repatriation to Vietnam can be arranged in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR). The United Kingdom has also accepted responsibility, on behalf of Hong Kong, to implement all provisions of the multilateral Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA) adopted by the June 1989 International Conference on Indochinese Refugees. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations
It detention (UNHCR).