HKLAQF
CONFIDENTIAL
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27(1)
UNHCR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EXCOM) MEETING : GENEVA, 6-13 OCTOBER
UNHCR NOTE (ES/SCP/44 OF 19 AUGUST) ON THE DETENTION OF REFUGEES AND
ASYLUM-SEEKERS
HONG KONG ASPECTS
Closed Camp Policy
There
1. Since July 1982, in order to discourage further Vietnamese from leaving by boat for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Government have placed all newly arriving Vietnamese refugees in closed camps which they are not permitted to leave (eg to seek outside employment) during their stay in Hong Kong. This policy has been effective in reducing the level of arrivals, but the flow nevertheless continues. is very strong public support for the policy among Hong Kong people,
of many
whom consider it generous
the in comparison with
HKG's
policy to general
repatriate all
from illegal migrants
China,
irrespective of their links with the territory. Over half of the 8500 refugee population currently in Hong Kong are in closed camps (the main ones are at Chi Ma Wan, Hei Ling Chau and Bowring); the rest (ie. those who arrived before July 1982) are accommodated in 2 open camps run by the local office of the UNHCR in cooperation with local voluntary agencies. All the basic needs of those in the
closed
accommodation, medical
clothing, basic
education and recreation) are met by HKG with assistance from UNHCR and Hong Kong voluntary agencies.
2.
(food, camps
care,
camps
However conditions in the
have been criticised from time to time by some MPS, journalists and other interested groups, particularly the British ..efugee Council (BRC) who in 1984 produced a pamphlet "Behind Barbed Wire" critical of the camps, and by Refugee Action, whose Chairman
CONFIDENTIAL