REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE TO VIETNAM
WE AGREE WITH UNHCR THAT REPATRIATION IS THE MOST DESIRABLE
THERE HAVE TO DATE BEEN VERY FEW VOLUNTEERS
LONG TERM SOLUTION.
FROM THE CAMPS IN HONG KONG.
CLEARLY THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE
CONSIDERABLE RISK TO FLEE BY BOAT WILL NOT EASILY BE PERSUADED
TO RETURN TO VIETNAM. GIVEN THE HANOI GOVERNMENT'S LAMENTABLE
HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD THERE IS UNDERSTANDABLE RELUCTANCE ON THE
PART OF THOSE WHO HAVE FLED TO PUT THEMSELVES AT THAT GOVERNMENT'S
MERCY,
PARTICULARLY WHEN THEIR DEPARTURE BY BOAT IS CONSIDERED
"ILLEGAL". I WOULD EMPHASISE THAT WE COULD ONLY SUPPORT A
REPATRIATION PROGRAMME TO VIETNAM IF THERE WERE ADEQUATE ASSURANCE
FROM THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF
THOSE RETURNING. So FAR NO SUCH ASSURANCES HAVE BEEN FORTHCOMING.
FOR THE MOMENT, WE CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE THAT UNHCR SHOULD
CONTINUE TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE WITH THE VIETNAMESE ON THIS
UNFORTUNATELY TO DATE THERE HAVE BEEN NO INDICATIONS
THAT THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES ARE PREPARED TO CO-OPERATE IN
QUESTION.
ACCEPTING A PROGRAMME OF REPATRIATION OR TO GIVE THE NECESSARY
ASSURANCES.
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