CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, 26-30 OCTOBER
South East Asia
Essential Facts
under UNHCR mandate.
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1. Over 155,000 Indo-Chinese refugees in camps in South East Asia
Largest number in Thailand (almost 130,000 including 90,000 Lao. Further 240,000 Cambodian displaced persons on Thai/Cambodian border under mandate of UN Border Relief Operation
(UNBRO). UK provides humanitarian support for refugees in Thailand.
Also small programme of humanitarian aid to non-communist Cambodians
(£100,000 in 1986/87).
2.
ASEAN countries, in particular Thailand, increasingly frustrated
at lack of movement towards relieving refugee burden. Pressing for
more resettlement. No prospect of Thailand and other countries of
first asylum accepting more refugees for local integration.
Voluntary repatration not practicable option for Vietnamese,
Cambodians or many Lao in present circumstances. In 1985, UNHCR and Thai Government introduced policy of "screening" those fleeing from
Laos. Those "screened out" as economic migrants still waiting for
Lao Government to fulfill commitment to take them back.
3.
Outside Thailand, Hong Kong has largest case load in region
(currently some 8,500 Vietnamese boat people; high proportion of
long stayers). Resettlement slowing, partly as result of a belief
in main resettlement countries that many may now be fleeing for
economic motives rather than in fear of persecution. In response to
report by Sub Committee on Race Relations and Immigration (SCORRI)
of Home Affairs Committee in 1985, criteria were relaxed to allow
resettlement of some 500 do-Chinese from Hong kong.
This stage almost completed. Now looking at further SCORRI commitment to take some 60 Indo-Chinese from camps elsewhere in South East Asia.
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4.
In search for more effective solutions, we are in consultation
-
initially on informal basis with main resettlement countries who
share our concerns. Aim to see what scope
if any
exists for
multilateral approach to Vietnam to help remedy situation.
CONFIDENTIAL