{"id":1781,"date":"2021-08-15T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hongkongers.org.uk\/?p=1781"},"modified":"2023-09-18T18:12:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T17:12:49","slug":"15-08-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hongkongers.org.uk\/zh\/2021\/08\/15-08-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"15-08-2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

HKB questions the Minister of State on the transparency, representation and security of the UK Government’s BN(O) Taskforce<\/strong>

Hongkongers in Britain (HKB) has learned that Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) has established a \u2018national Taskforce\u2019 to support the \u2018Cross-Whitehall Inter-Ministerial Group for BN(O)s\u2019, to manage policies relating to Hong Kong British National Overseas (BN(O)s) arriving into the UK. According to MHCLG\u2019s description, the Taskforce\u2019s membership should consist of \u201crepresentatives from local government, civil society and BN(O) representative groups.\u201d The Taskforce has convened for the first time in early July.

However, HKB has also learned that amongst the members currently invited into the Taskforce, not only is there:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. a total lack of representation of Hongkongers groups established in the UK since the BN(O) visa scheme was introduced, but more worryingly, 
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. an individual who is holding an important position in a pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) UK-based association has been invited into the Taskforce. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This group has recently openly expressed its support for the National Security Law (NSL) and the \u2018Patriots Rule\u2019 of Hong Kong, therefore its inclusion in the Taskforce is in direct conflict with the very ethos and rationale of the BN(O) visa scheme. HKB is deeply concerned and disappointed at the grave risks posed to the UK’s national security and the safety of Hongkongers, by giving pro-CCP\/NSL groups access to any key information made available by the UK Government to the Taskforce.

    Given the serious nature of the matter, HKB issued a letter on 16th July, sincerely recommending the Minister responsible, Lord Greenhalgh, to carry out immediate rectifications, and make necessary amendments as listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Increase the transparency of the decision-making processes relating to the BN(O) policy. For example, the criteria of membership and minutes of the Taskforce should be made available to public where possible and under safe circumstances.
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Include recognisable Hongkongers groups into the Taskforce, in order to ensure that the Taskforce consists of broad representation and carries legitimacy, where Hongkongers are able to have full participation and are fully involved in the decision-making processes.
      <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Prohibit UK-based groups and associations which have expressed support for the CCP and NSL to participate in all official Taskforce\/committees relating to the BN(O) policy, thereby preventing CCP United Front\u2019s infiltration and gathering of intelligence, so as to protect Hongkongers\u2019 safety and UK\u2019s national security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      On 20th July, HKB issued a further letter to provide additional evidence, and highlight the disastrous policy impact of the inclusion of individuals directly related to pro-CCP\/NSL groups into the Taskforce. By reiterating its stance, HKB hoped that the Minister would take the matter seriously, and follow-up on the recommendations as suggested. On 23rd July, MHCLG acknowledged the receipt of the letters, informing HKB that they have reached the Minister and will aim to provide a reply to HKB in one to two weeks. On 12th August, HKB received the Minister\u2019s reply in letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      HKB issues the following reply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. HKB thanks the Minister for agreeing with us that \u201cmore recently created BN(O) organisations should attend the Taskforce\u201d. However, HKB expects concrete actions and a timeline to address the issue of unrepresentativeness by including representatives of BN(O) communities in the Taskforce.
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. HKB finds a lack of mention of when the next review of the membership of the Taskforce will take place and the applicable criteria in the review. The absence of minutes and membership details of the Taskforce are contrary to the principle of transparency and community involvement in the policy-making process to welcome BN(O)s. Transparency therefore continues to be in question.
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. HKB thanks the Minister for agreeing with us that \u201cif a member did express views contrary to the purpose of the immigration route, their place on the Taskforce would be reconsidered\u201d. The evidence submitted by HKB has clearly demonstrated that a member of the Taskforce has a leading role in another organisation which is a signatory to a statement backing the NSL. Therefore, HKB sees that the government has no reason not to swiftly \u201creconsider the place\u201d of the members of the Taskforce, and HKB is looking forward to the fulfilment of the Minister\u2019s pledges.
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Since there is currently no representation from the Hongkongers organisations community, and all discussions in Taskforce are not transparent, the public has no avenues to oversee whether a member of the Taskforce has expressed views contrary to the purpose of the BN(O) scheme.
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. In principle, HKB questions how an representative of an organisation that openly supported the NSL could be part of the effort to \u201censure BN(O)s and their families can live their new lives here safely and securely\u201d, not to mention giving her a place on the Taskforce.
        <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. HKB welcomes the guarantee that \u201cTaskforce attendees will not see any personal information which could compromise the safety of those BN(O)s who choose to come to the UK.\u201d However, concerns over possible threats to UK\u2019s national security and BN(O)s\u2019 personal safety remain as members of the Taskforce have direct access to internal information and data provided by the UK government. This acute threat must not be disregarded.
        <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Based on the HKB\u2019s disappointment over the absence of concrete actions to address the aforementioned concerns, HKB has decided to publish this public statement alongside the two letters from the HKB and the Minister\u2019s reply. HKB hopes that it will allow the public to better understand the timeline of events, in order for external parties to bring public office to account, with the objective that the UK government will rectify these issues promptly, and to take all necessary precautions to avoid repeating similar situations in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u672c\u6703\u5c31 \u5b98\u65b9 BN(O) \u653f\u7b56\u8aee\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44 \u7684 \u900f\u660e\u5ea6\u3001\u4ee3\u8868\u6027\u3001\u5b89\u5168\u98a8\u96aa \u7b49\u554f\u984c \u8cea\u8a62 \u793e\u5340\u4e8b\u52d9\u570b\u52d9\u5927\u81e3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u672c\u6703 \u5f9e\u5916\u90e8\u5f97\u6089 \u623f\u5c4b\u3001\u793e\u5340\u53ca\u5730\u65b9\u653f\u5e9c\u4e8b\u52d9\u90e8 (MHCLG) \u5df2\u6210\u7acb \u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44 (Task Force) \u5354\u52a9 \u8de8\u90e8\u9580\u5354\u8abf\u59d4\u54e1\u6703 (Inter-Ministerial Group) \u8655\u7406 \u82f1\u570b\u570b\u6c11(\u6d77\u5916) \u516c\u6c11 (\u4e0b\u7a31 BN(O) ) \u7684\u653f\u7b56\uff0c\u64da\u8a72\u90e8\u9580\u63cf\u8ff0\uff0c\u8a72\u5c0f\u7d44\u4e4b\u6210\u54e1\u7531\u5730\u65b9\u653f\u5e9c\u3001\u516c\u6c11\u5718\u9ad4\u3001 \u5fd7\u9858\u6a5f\u69cb\u3001\u53ca\u82f1\u570b\u570b\u6c11(\u6d77\u5916) \u4e4b\u6e2f\u4eba\u4ee3\u8868\u6240\u7d44\u6210\u3002 \u8a72\u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44\u5df2\u5728\u4e03\u6708\u521d\u53ec\u958b\u9996\u6b21\u6703\u8b70\u3002

        \u60df\u672c\u6703\u5f97\u6089\u6703\u8b70\u6210\u54e1\u540d\u55ae\u7576\u4e2d\uff0c \u4e0d\u4f46 : \u4e00) \u6c92\u6709\u4efb\u4f55\u8fd1\u5e74\u4f86\u82f1\u7684\u6e2f\u4eba\u5718\u9ad4\u53ca\u4ee3\u8868\uff0c \u66f4 \u4e8c) \u898b\u6709\u89aa\u5171\u83ef\u50d1\u5718\u9ad4\u7684\u91cd\u8981\u4eba\u54e1\u88ab\u9080\u8acb\u5728\u5167\uff0c\u8a72\u4e9b\u5718\u9ad4\u66fe\u7d93\u767b\u5831\u516c\u958b\u652f\u6301 \u6e2f\u5340\u300a\u570b\u5b89\u6cd5\u300b \u4ee5\u53ca\u300c\u611b\u570b\u8005\u6cbb\u6e2f\u300d\u7684\u7406\u5ff5\uff0c\u8207 BN(O) \u7c3d\u8b49\u653f\u7b56\u7684\u521d\u8877\u80cc\u9053\u800c\u99b3\uff0c \u82e5\u5728\u6703\u8b70\u4e2d\u638c\u63e1\u4efb\u4f55\u60c5\u8cc7\uff0c\u66f4\u69cb\u6210\u56b4\u5cfb\u7684\u5b89\u5168\u98a8\u96aa\uff0c\u672c\u6703\u5c0d\u6b64\u6df1\u611f\u64d4\u6182\u53ca\u61a4\u6012\u3002

        \u92fb\u65bc\u4e8b\u614b\u56b4\u91cd\uff0c\u672c\u6703\u65e9\u65bc\u4e03\u6708\u5341\u516d\u65e5\u5bc4\u51fa\u516c\u51fd\u4e88\u8a72\u90e8\u9580\uff0c\u5411\u8ca0\u8cac\u6709\u95dc\u4e8b\u52d9\u7684\u9996\u9577 Lord Stephen Greenhalgh \u9673\u8ff0\u60c5\u6cc1\uff0c\u5efa\u8b70\u7576\u5c40\u4e88\u4ee5\u7cfe\u6b63\uff0c\u4e26\u4f5c\u51fa\u4e0b\u5217\u6539\u5584:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. \u589e\u52a0\u5b98\u65b9\u8655\u7406 BN(O) \u653f\u7b56\u6a5f\u5236\u7684\u900f\u660e\u5ea6\uff0c\u4f8b\u5982\u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44 (Task Force) \u4eba \u54e1\u7684\u7d44\u6210\u6a19\u6e96\u3001 \u6703\u8b70\u7d00\u9304\uff0c \u80fd\u5728\u5b89\u5168\u7684\u60c5\u6cc1\u4e0b\u516c\u8af8\u65bc\u773e\u3002
          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. \u8b93\u5177\u8a8d\u53d7\u6027\u7684\u6e2f\u4eba\u5718\u9ad4\u53c3\u8207\u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44 (Task Force)\uff0c \u78ba\u4fdd\u5c0f\u7d44\u5177\u5145\u5206\u4e14 \u5ee3\u6cdb\u7684\u4ee3\u8868\u6027\u53ca\u6b63\u7576\u6027\uff0c\u8b93\u6e2f\u4eba\u6709\u771f\u6b63\u7684\u767c\u8a00\u6b0a\u5229\u53ca\u5f71\u97ff\u3002
          <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. \u7981\u6b62\u652f\u6301\u6e2f\u5340\u300a\u570b\u5b89\u6cd5\u300b \u7684\u89aa\u4e2d\u5171\u5718\u9ad4\u6240\u5c6c\u4eba\u54e1\u53c3\u8207\u5b98\u65b9 BN(O) \u653f\u7b56\u7684 \u59d4\u54e1\u6703\uff0c\u675c\u7d55\u4e2d\u5171\u7d71\u6230\u5de5\u4f5c\u7684\u6ef2\u900f\u53ca\u60c5\u8490\uff0c\u5207\u5be6\u4fdd\u969c\u5b89\u5168\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          \u76f4\u81f3\u4e03\u6708\u4e8c\u5341\u65e5\uff0c\u672c\u6703\u518d\u4ee5\u88dc\u4ef6\u5f62\u5f0f\u5448\u4ea4\u5177\u9ad4\u8b49\u64da\uff0c\u4e26\u56b4\u6b63\u91cd\u7533\u672c\u6703\u7acb\u5834\uff0c\u5e0c\u671b\u8a72\u90e8\u9580\u80fd\u56b4\u8085\u8655\u7406\u554f\u984c\uff0c \u8ddf\u9032\u6709\u95dc\u5efa\u8b70\u3002\u8a72\u90e8\u9580\u66fe\u8868\u793a\u5df2\u6536\u59a5\u4fe1\u4ef6\uff0c \u4e26\u5c07\u6703\u5728\u4e00\u81f3\u5169\u5468\u5167\u56de\u8986\uff0c \u5f8c\u4f86\u53c8\u56e0\u70ba\u5404\u7a2e\u7406\u7531\uff0c\u7d93\u6b77\u5169\u6b21\u5ef6\u5b95\u5f8c\uff0c\u7d42\u65bc\u516b\u6708\u5341\u4e8c\u65e5\u6536\u5230\u56de\u8986\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \u5c31\u8a72 \u793e\u5340\u4e8b\u52d9\u570b\u52d9\u5927\u81e3 Lord Greenhalgh \u7684\u56de\u4fe1\uff0c\u672c\u6703\u7684\u56de\u61c9\u5982\u4e0b\uff1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. \u611f\u8b1d \u570b\u52d9\u5927\u81e3 \u540c\u610f \u8fd1\u4f86\u6210\u7acb\u7684\u6e2f\u4eba\u5718\u9ad4\u61c9\u7576\u88ab\u7d0d\u5165\u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44 (Task Force)\uff0c\u60df \u672c\u6703\u5e0c\u671b\u653f\u5e9c\u8a2d\u4e0b\u6642\u7a0b\uff0c\u63a1\u53d6\u5be6\u969b\u884c\u52d5\uff0c\u6539\u5584\u76ee\u524d\u5c0f\u7d44\u4ee3\u8868\u6027\u4e0d\u8db3\u7684\u554f\u984c\u3002
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. \u570b\u52d9\u5927\u81e3 \u63d0\u53ca \u6709\u6046\u5e38\u6a5f\u5236\u6aa2\u8a0e \u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44 (Task Force) \u7684\u7d44\u6210\uff0c\u537b\u4ecd\u672a\u898b\u4e0b\u6b21\u6aa2\u8a0e\u7684\u5177\u9ad4\u6642\u7a0b\uff0c\u4ee5\u53ca\u7528\u4f55\u7b49\u6a19\u6e96\u5be9\u8996\uff0c\u5176\u65bd\u653f\u900f\u660e\u5ea6\u4f9d\u7136\u6210\u7591\u3002
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. \u611f\u8b1d \u570b\u52d9\u5927\u81e3 \u540c\u610f \u300c\u82e5\u6210\u54e1\u767c\u8868\u8207\u662f\u6b21\u7c3d\u8b49\u8a08\u5283\u521d\u8877\u76f8\u9055\u80cc\u7684\u8a00\u8ad6\uff0c\u8a72\u6210\u54e1\u7684\u8b70\u5e2d\u5fc5\u9808\u91cd\u65b0\u5be9\u8996\u300d\uff0c\u672c\u6703\u767c\u51fd\u63d0\u51fa\u7684\u8b49\u64da\u5df2\u5145\u5206\u8868\u660e\u6709\u5c0f\u7d44\u6210\u54e1\u5728\u5176\u8077\u6b0a\u7bc4\u570d\u4e4b\u5167\uff0c \u5176\u6240\u5f9e\u4e8b\u7684\u7d44\u7e54\u7c3d\u7f72\u652f\u6301\u300a\u570b\u5b89\u6cd5\u300b \u7684\u8072\u660e\uff0c\u8cac\u7121\u65c1\u8cb8\u3002 \u56e0\u6b64\uff0c \u61c9\u7576\u300c\u91cd\u65b0\u5be9\u8996\u300d \u653f\u5e9c\u5167\u90e8\u4e4b\u64c7\u4eba\u6a19\u6e96\uff0c\u672c\u6703\u671f\u5f85\u653f\u5e9c\u6709\u6240\u4f5c\u70ba\uff0c\u5c65\u884c\u627f\u8afe\u3002
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. \u518d\u8005\uff0c\u76ee\u524d\u7684\u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44 (Task Force) \u672c\u4f86\u5c31\u7121\u6e2f\u4eba\u7684\u53c3\u8207\uff0c\u7576\u4e2d\u7684\u6703\u8b70\u7d00\u9304\u53ca\u540d\u55ae\u53c8\u4e0d\u900f\u660e\u516c\u958b\uff0c\u5916\u754c\u7121\u6cd5\u5f97\u77e5\u5167\u60c5\uff0c\u66f4\u9051\u8ad6\u80fd\u5be9\u8996\u6210\u54e1\u662f\u5426\u9055\u80cc\u521d\u8877\u3002
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. \u66f4\u751a\uff0c \u672c\u6703\u96e3\u4ee5\u60f3\u50cf\u5728\u516c\u958b\u652f\u6301\u6e2f\u5340\u300a\u570b\u5b89\u6cd5\u300b\u7684\u7d44\u7e54\u64d4\u4efb\u91cd\u8981\u8077\u52d9\u7684\u4eba\u58eb\u80fd\u7e7c\u7e8c\u52dd\u4efb\u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44\u7684\u5de5\u4f5c\uff0c\u5c24\u5176\u8a72\u5c0f\u7d44\u7684\u4e3b\u8981\u76ee\u6a19\u4e4b\u4e00\uff0c\u5c31\u662f\u7814\u64ec\u63aa\u65bd\u59a5\u5207\u4fdd\u8b77\u82f1\u570b\u570b\u6c11 \uff08\u6d77\u5916\uff09\u516c\u6c11\u53ca\u5176\u5bb6\u5c6c\u7684\u4eba\u8eab\u5b89\u5168\u3002
            <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          6. \u672c\u6703\u6b61\u8fce \u570b\u52d9\u5927\u81e3 \u627f\u8afe \u300c\u8aee\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44\u6210\u54e1 \u5c07\u4e0d\u6703\u63a5\u89f8\u5230\u82f1\u570b\u570b\u6c11\uff08\u6d77\u5916\uff09\u516c\u6c11\u7684\u500b\u4eba\u8cc7\u6599\u300d\uff0c \u4e0d\u904e\u8aa0\u5982\u6240\u8ff0\uff0c \u54a8\u8a62\u5c0f\u7d44\u80fd\u63a5\u89f8\u5230\u82f1\u570b\u653f\u5e9c\u6240\u63d0\u4f9b\u7684\u6574\u9ad4\u8cc7\u8a0a\u53ca\u5167\u5e55\u6578\u64da\uff0c\u6b64\u7b49\u6216\u5df2\u8db3\u4ee5\u69cb\u6210\u570b\u5bb6\u5b89\u5168\u7684\u5a01\u8105\uff0c \u4e0d\u61c9\u8f15\u8996\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            \u672c\u6703\u91cf\u53ca\u5167\u90e8\u9014\u5f91\u5df2\u7121\u6cd5\u8b93\u7576\u5c40\u6b63\u8996\u73fe\u6cc1\uff0c\u6240\u4ee5\u6c7a\u5b9a\u767c\u51fa\u6b64\u8072\u660e\uff0c \u4e26\u9644\u4e0a\u672c\u6703\u66fe\u767c\u51fa\u7684\u90f5\u4ef6\u53ca\u9673\u5217\u90e8\u4efd\u8b49\u64da\uff0c\u85c9\u7531\u516c\u958b\u4e8b\u614b\u59cb\u672b\uff0c \u8b93\u5916\u754c\u53ca\u516c\u773e\u5c0d\u653f\u5e9c\u9032\u884c\u6709\u6548\u76e3\u7763\uff0c\u56de\u61c9\u662f\u6b21\u6c7a\u7b56\u6240\u9020\u6210\u7684\u7a2e\u7a2e\u554f\u984c\u53ca\u7591\u616e\uff0c\u76e1\u5feb\u66f4\u6b63\u4e14\u675c\u7d55\u540c\u985e\u60c5\u6cc1\u518d\u6b21\u767c\u751f\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \u6e2f\u50d1\u6703 \u9996\u5c01\u90f5\u4ef6 HKB’s 1st Letter (16th July 2021)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \n