!
18.
Can they remain apparently ignorant of the
tremendous impact they are having on their neighbouring countries
in dumping their citizens on others' doorsteps?
If their callous disregard for human rights is to
continue, do they have no concern for the influence these policies
produce on their own political and economic stability?
The ill-founded belief on the part of any of these
governments that policies of this nature can endure while a
willing world 'picks up the tab' must be quickly buried.
Any apparent ambivalence in attitude on the part of
civilised nations would not only mislead the governments concerned
but lead to the continued deprivation of the human rights of
their citizens.
It could also lead others to try the same formula.
If there is a prescription to solve the Indo-Chinese
refugee situation I see it in several parts.
First, the cause of the outflow must be identified
and removed. The international community should insist that this
be done and it should use persuasion, influence and constant
pressure at international and bilateral levels. This result
should be achieved without affecting the individual civil
rights of people involved and it should ensure no-one is
persecuted because of their race, religion, membership of
a particular social group or political opinion or
nationality.
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