2
the present time would be very dangerous, and the maintenance of discipline in the centres was
the
essential for the wellbeing of all the VRS; nevertheless the HKG would examine any specific proposals for modifying the closed centre regime. C of CS explained that his department's role was essentially to manage the refugees who managed the closed centre themselves, and to step in only when there were problems among the refugees. Improvements in the closed centre regime could be made only with VR cooperation; equally a lack of basic cooperation could only lead to sanctions being applied.
3.
Mr. Moussalli elaborated that Hong Kong's closed centre policy did cause problems for UNHCR inasmuch as, however much HKG was trusted not to mistreat VRS, others could quote this retreat from the principle of free movement for refugees to justify other and less acceptable policies. In this connection, he asked whether HKG could consider reuniting parts of VR families separated by the division between closed and open centres. S for S said that HKG faced a severe political problem in agreeing to such a proposal, because it would appear to dilute the already limited deterrent available; such a move would also need to be justified before representatives of local opinion on ExCo, who, particularly in the context of HK's harsh immigration policies, were becoming markedly less sympathetic towards VRs. However, each case would be looked at on its merits, and on the basis of the adequacy of the case made for bringing members of each alleged family together: this might mean movement into closed rather than open centres. Mrs. Lasan noted that UNHCR had already forwarded 20 such cases to the Government.
C of CS added that he would support the principle of bringing these families together where practically possible.
4.
Mr. Moussalli mentioned that when he had visited China to see how VRS were settled and treated there, Chinese officials had raised with him the issue of 21 female VRS who claimed to have husbands in HK; both the Chinese and the UNHCR were keen to
/arrange