BritishHongKong is an organisation registered in Scotland. Our aim is to lobby on behalf of all British Nationals (Overseas) of all ethnicities for the basic human rights that we deserve as British nationals, i.e., the right of abode in the UK and the right to full British Citizenship.

The reason for this because Hong Kong was, tragically, the only British colony without given the right of self-determination to decide, by her people, to follow whether Britain, the communist China, or, even, to be independent. People of British Hong Kong had never got a right to decide their own future. In fact, self-determination is such a basic fundamental human right. This unresolved and sour situation in the former crown colony left the people in so much grief and uncertainty.

1. Self-determination
The government’s British Overseas Territories Act 2002 has enabled all British Overseas Territories citizens to register as British citizens. BOTCs are given self-determination of choosing their nationality. However, the citizens of colonial-Hong Kong, unlike those of all other past British colonies, have never been given self-determination, as we did not have the freedom to choose to follow either the UK, or China, before 1997. In June last year, Lady Thatcher has spoken publicly for the first time of her regret over Hong Kong. BritishHongKong think the UK government still has the opportunity to “right a historic wrong.”

2.BN(O) as a form of British citizenship
Perhaps, due to the lack of knowledge about British nationality law among some MPs and the Home Office, BN(O) is now described as a mere travel document. It is totally not in accordance with the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, whereas BN(O) is classified as a form of citizenship.  Furthermore, politicians would be hesitant in granting the right to BN(O) to register as British citizens, on the basis of the imposed Chinese nationality after 1997. This reason is not only without any sense, but also has a great degree of racial discrimination.

Also, for the other ethnic minorities of Indian, Nepalese, and Pakistani origins, who were born before 1983, they are single-out by the government from registering as British Citizens, even though they do not have another nationality. These particular groups of BN(O)s are, also, being discriminated against.

The current treatment towards all BN(O)s is indeed unacceptable.

3. The current nationally law is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights
We understand that the Human Rights Act 1998 has contained the principles of the ECHR; however, the UK government has still not ratified its protocol 4, which prohibits the expulsion of nationals and provides for the right of an individual to enter a country of his or her nationality. We strongly suggest that the HM government to give consideration on this matter, as the UK should renew/change the nationality law, in order to bring this protocol, which the government has signed, in force, to the 21st European standard.

Aims and goals:

1.BritishHongKong is to provide sufficient information for the BN(O), in terms of its status and difficulties.

2. BritishHongKong is appealing to the UK government for a reconsideration of the whole British nationality law, whether it has reached the 21st century European standard.

3.BritishHongKong aims to educate BN(O)s what it means to be proud British – British citizenship education.

5. BritishHongKong endeavour to provide all possible assistance to all BN(O)s of all ethnicities, all of whom are regarded as ethnic minorities in the UK.

6. BritishHongKong would continue seeking help and legal advice from lawyers and human rights organisations all over the UK and Europe, for the benefits of British Nationals (Overseas).

Mr. Robin Tso - Founder of BritishHongKong
Mr. Turk Chan - Co-founder of BritishHongKong & Technical Support of BHK Forum
Mr. Anthony Cheung - Secretary of BritishHongKong
Ms. Caroline Lai - Treasury of BritishHongKong
Mr. Noble Sham - Membership Administrator of BHK Forum and Core Group
Ms Wendy Wong - Technical Support of BHK Forum and Core Group
HKexpat - Leader of BritishHongKong Core Group