This is a campaign dedicated to seeking further legislative amendments to the British Nationality Act 1981 (“BNA”) by the British government in partnership with the governments of the twelve British Overseas Territories (“BOT”). These amendments would create for the first time, a retrospective citizenship registration route for adults who were born illegitimately, abroad (outside mainland UK and its Territories), before 1st July 2006, to fathers holding: British Overseas Territories citizenship (“BOTC”), and/or after 2002, automatic full British citizenship (“BC”).
In 2014 the “BNA” was amended by way of Section 65 Immigration Act 2014, after a similar campaign by adults who’s fathers were born in mainland UK or, who at the time of their birth, had the right of abode in the U.K. This group was given a retrospective registration route to be to claim full British citizenship by descent.
The late Lord Eric Avebury and others championed these amendments to the law in government at the time. It is on record that due there being no time to consult with the respective territories governments prior to the legislation being drawn up and implemented, adults of 1st line “BOTC” descent were left out. This places them at a clear disadvantage. On 6th May 2014, during a debate in the House of Lords on the Immigration Act 2014, the Government Minister, Lord Taylor, gave this assurance:
“I know that my noble friend is also concerned about British Overseas
Territories citizens. Changes to those provisions require consultation
with the territories concerned and this has not been possible in the time
available. However, I assure my noble friend that the Government will
look for suitable opportunities to discuss this issue with the overseas
Territories once the provisions are implemented.”
(Hansard source: (Citation: HL Deb, 6 May 2014, c1418)
It has nearly been 3 years and no sight of a remedy. We strongly urge the government to address this on-going discrimination. To allow it to continue is grossly unfair. You now have two groups of people of descent with the same set of circumstances, one with a registration route and the other without. To deny parity under the law in such a way is plainly and morally wrong. It must be addressed and remedied.