(1)
(2)
port for which OCM Hong Kong is most grateful.
Mrs. Lasan extended a special welcome to those attending the meeting for the first time or after a long period of time: Mr. D. Wheen, Australian Regional Immigration Counsellor; Mr. J. Devos from Belgium; Mr. D. Crepault from Canada (replacing Ms. S. Gregson); Mr. K. J. Grønbaek from Denmark (replacing Mr. S. T. Nielsen); Mr. A. Conze from the Federal Republic of Germany; Mr. N. Sugimoto from Japan; Mr. D. Kornbluth, the U.S. Refugee Co-ordinator and Mrs. Y. Sato and Mr. R. Ho, Resettlement Officer and Senior Resettlement Assistant of UNHCR respectively.
Amendment/Approval of the Minutes of 20 July 1983 Meeting
Please see the attached letter from Mr. William Yan of the Immigration Department.
Report of the Hong Kong Delegate to the 34th UNHCR Executive Committee
It was Mr. Williamson's view that the High Commissioner's opening speech set the tone for this meeting where voluntary repatriation was emphasised as a desirable durable solution to refugee problems. While time did not permit him to take the floor, he informed the group that the speaker from the British delegation stressed Hong Kong's unique situation as a territory of first asylum. What he found most useful was the opportunity to talk with representatives of various countries including Vietnam as well as with relevant UNHCR officials.
Discussions Following Mr. Williamson's Report
(a) Mr. Wheen (Australia) raised the point on procedures and modalities
pertaining to voluntary repatriation. Mr. Leeks (Security Branch) emphasised that a speedy processing of requests for voluntary repatriation is the most essential element and expressed the hope that UNHCR would take this into serious consideration.
(b)
(c)
Mr. Kornbluth (U.S.A.) queried whether the refugees in Hong Kong are told about or encouraged to opt for voluntary repatriation. Mr. Lok (Immi- gration) explained that upon entering Hong Kong waters, the refugees are informed of the Hong Kong "closed" centre policy so that if they so wish they can opt voluntarily not to seek asylum in Hong Kong. Mr. Leeks (Security Branch) and Mr. von Blumenthal (UNHCR) explained the period- ical review conducted jointly by UNHCR and Immigration Department to ascertain, interalia, whether refugees, after some length of stay in Hong Kong, may want to consider voluntary repatriation.
Mr. Sureck opined that as long as there is a resettlement programme, voluntary repatriation is not a viable solution. Mr. Meijer replied by asking whether or not a viable resettlement programme actually exists. He added that there could not be a mass repatriation programme as long as Vietnamese are leaving Vietnam, however, it should be possible to have both resettlement and voluntary repatriation operating as durable sol-
utions.
(d) Mr. Sureck also queried UNHCR's attitude towards unaccompanied minors,
many of whom, in his opinion, should be repatriated. Mrs Lasan explained that as far as this group is concerned, UNHCR is always guided by the ultimate interests of the child. However, in some attempts to merely suggest their possible return to parents in Vietnam, there are countries which have raised serious objections. Mr. Meijer cited a concrete example where eventually the unaccompanied minors were resettled instead of repatriated.