The resettlement rate
y 3,700, partly due to
17,800 in 1981
had fallen by 1984 to
the rising proportion of Northerners in the
camps (currently about 50 per cent). Refugees from North Vietnam
are less likely to have family ties overseas than those from the
South and tend to be less skilled. In addition, 8 ome host countries
are reluctant to accept Northerners who have spent up to 30 years in a Communist society
as genuine refugees entitled to
resettlement.
-
permanent
Recognising the problems of enforced confinement in the closed
Vocational
embarked on
a
a special training centre is
camps, the Hong Kong Government has
training programme for the Vietnamese;
due to open in mid-1985. As well as being responsible for runping the open camps in cooperation with voluntary agencies,
voluntary agencies, UNHCR help despite their new that the policy of trying to deter refugees to finance the closed camps)
from coming in the first place is variance with the principles of international protection".
>
"at
BRITAIN'S CONCERN
In late 1984 and early 1985 the Sub-Committee (of the House of
Commons Home Affairs Committee) on Race Relations and Immigration
conducted an enquiry into the question of Refugees and Asylum with
writer
Special Reference to the Vietnamese.
resettlement in
In its evidence to the
A
Sub-Committee, HMG endorsed the UNHCR view that the third "durable
solution"
western countries like Britain was the
least acceptable long-term solution. But it reaffirmed Britain' 8
continuing international commitment to resettle ship rescue cases
and refugees eligible to join relatives already in Britain.
The
Government had decided in 1978 that refugees rescued by ships
registered in Britain would normally be accepted for resettlement if
no other country had agreed to take them within 90 days of the
rescue. In July 1984, Britain agreed to join the UNHCR Rescue at
Sea Resettlement Offers (RASRO) scheme for a trial period. The aim
is to encourage ship rescues of boat people and to spread refugees
When the scheme beyou on 1 May 1985 evenly between resettlement countries.
Up to October 19845 more than 2500 Western countries had pledged 2,300 places, under the scheme out
L including trade 44,000 Britain. heving provided—a—quote—8£158
a quofa of 150 vovided
Under family reunion provisions, Britain applies the 8 ame
to
-places
H