97-JUN-1993 15:53
BJ IND LIVERPOOL
ETHNIC MINORITIES
44 051 336 0785
F.03
Annex B
Numbers involved
1.
Indians form the largest of the ethnic minorities. Another significant group is of Pakistani origin, and there are also Eurasians, Amerasians
Amerasians and others. The Hong Kong Government estimates that they comprise some 26,000 people, of whom some 19,000 are citizens of India or Pakistan. The focus of LegCo's concern is the other 7,000 who are British Dependent Territory citizens (BDTCS) and who have no other nationality. Most members of the ethnic minorities have lived in Hong Kong for many years. Many were born there. The Indian association with Hong Kong dates back to when it first became a British territory.
Previous representations
2.
Lobbying has been conducted either directly or on behalf of the ethnic minorities for several years now. There have been various meetings with Ministers, petitioning of the Prime Minister and consideration of the issue by Cabinet. Their recent lobbying in Hong Kong led to the setting up of the LegCo sub-committee on nationality.
The problem
3.
The ethnic minorities see the problem as being:
(i)
the lack of a proper nationality and passport nationality status is second rate and the passport has only travel document status it provides no consular protection;
the
-
(ii) uncertainty about right of abode in Hong Kong after
1997;
Q