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Representatives from the Security Bureau and Immigration Department met with representatives of the Association of Parents Fighting for their Children's Right of Abode and the Association for Parents Fighting for the Implementation of their Children's Right of Abode on June 17 and 19 respectively to listen to their views and aspirations.
A Government spokesman said, "We have explained clearly at the meetings that the Court of Final Appeal had handed down its judgment on major right of abode (ROA) cases in January 2002 and had laid down a clear legal basis for handling ROA cases."
He reiterated that the Government would continue to act in strict accordance with the court's judgment and all persons who had no ROA in Hong Kong in accordance with the court's judgment had to return to the Mainland.
He added that eligible persons might apply for one-way permits to settle in Hong Kong. The Government would not expand the scope of the concession policy and there would not be any amnesty.
"In response to ROA claimants' demand, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) has already raised with the Mainland authorities the possibility of introducing a channel to facilitate more adult Mainlanders with genuine needs to come to Hong Kong to take care of their parents," he said.
However, it has been made clear to the ROA claimants that the One-way Permit Scheme is operated by Mainland authorities to regulate the exit of Mainlanders into Hong Kong for settlement. The Scheme involves a Points System which has been devised to ensure objectivity and fairness and is implemented in accordance with Mainland laws and regulations. Any changes to the Scheme require careful deliberation so that it can continue to be implemented in a lawful and fair manner.
"While the HKSARG has reflected the matter to the Mainland authorities, the final decision vests with the latter. Till now, we understand that the Mainland authorities are still considering the matter and we will continue to follow it up," the spokesman said.
The Security Bureau regretted the radical actions taken by some ROA claimants on June 12 and urged them to abide by the law and to stay calm.
From July 1, 1997 up to now, more than 460 000 Mainland residents entered Hong Kong for settlement under the One-way Permit Scheme. In recent years, the Mainland authorities have introduced measures to further improve the Scheme, e.g. by establishing the Points System and publishing in newspaper information on persons who have been approved to come to Hong Kong.
Ends/Monday, June 19, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:30
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