Hong Kong consular staff reach out to British national (overseas) prisoners
Consular staff in Hong Kong recently completed their annual visit to BN(O) prisoners in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan.
British national (overseas) (BN(O)) passport holders are entitled to receive consular services from UK government when travelling outside of Hong Kong, Macao, the Chinese mainland and the United Kingdom. Eligible BN(O) passport holders can request consular services from 228 British missions worldwide. Services include help replacing lost, stolen, damaged or expired passports; provision of emergency assistance following accidents, hospitalisation, death and being a victim of crime; repatriation; transferring of funds; and notarial services.
As part of UK government’s commitment to BN(O) passport holders, British consular staff will visit or contact BN(O) passport holders detained in prisons overseas at least once a year. This year, consular staff from the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong have worked with their colleagues in the British Embassies in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines and the British Office in Taipei to arrange joint consular visits.
Consular official visits Klong Prem Central prison in Bangkok, Thailand.
These joint visits have allowed 40 BN(O) prisoners to meet Cantonese-speaking British consular officers and discuss any matters of concern. Staff from the British Consulate-General are also able to relay messages from family members in Hong Kong and distribute Chinese Hong Kong magazines. Consular staff can also use their visits to check on prisoners’ health and welfare - particularly in detention facilities where standards are lower than in the UK or Hong Kong.
Further information
- Information for emergency help for British nationals.
- Information for what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can do to help if you or someone you know is arrested abroad.
- Information for what British national (overseas) is.
- Information for the latest foreign travel advice for the country you are travelling to.