08-JUL-1993 11:08
B4 IND LIVERPOOL
ETHNIC MINORITIES
44 051 336 3386
F.03
Numbers involved
1.
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Indians form the largest of the ethnic minorities. Another significant group is of Pakistani origin, and there are also Eurasians, 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.
The problem
2.
The ethnic minorities see the problem as being:
(4)
the lack of a proper nationality and passport BN (0) or BOC status is second rate and the passports have only travel document status - they provide no consular protection;
(ii) uncertainty about right of abode in Hong Kong after
1997;
(iii) possible statelessness for either themselves, their
children or grandchildren;
(iv) restrictions on transmissibility of their British
nationality;
(v)
vulnerability and isolation in Hong Kong because of their ethnic origins;
18.3/CC