Information Act could be drawn up and political education in schools could be legalised. If
the Hong Kong government was not so secretive, the people of Hong Kong would have greater confidence in its ability to uphold human rights.
4. It is not just the Vietnamese refugee population in Hong Kong who experience discrimination and second class citizenship. Domestic workers from the Philipines,
Thailand and Bangladesh are subject to invidious immigration legislation, whereby they are
only allowed two weeks in the territory following a dismissal before they are deported. As a
result, many live in semi-slavery. Being dependent on their employers for a reference, they
are unable to find new work yet unable also to complain about their working conditions.
Given the hardening of attitudes in the West over refugees and human rights, it is perhaps
wishful thinking on my part to expect any of these issues to be addressed in the few years
remaining for Hong Kong before it returns to Chinese rule. I hope though, to have brought
to your attention aspects of Hong Kong life which could so easily be improved given the
right kind of leadership. With your connections in Westminster, Hong Kong looks to you
for a safe and hopeful transition in 1997 and beyond.
Yours sincerely,
Merent