HK2AKE
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG: RESETTLEMENT IN JAPAN
DRAFT SPEAKING NOTE
1.
Remain seriously concerned about Vietnamese refugee
problem in Hong Kong. UK and Hong Kong are accepting more
refugees, as are several friends and allies. Pressing
others to do more.
2. Hong Kong's problem is more acute than those of other
places of first asylum in the region: more Vietnamese refugees from other places (mean 2000) and a higher proportion (over 69%) of refugees who have spent more than 3
years in the camps.
3.
Acknowledge the contribution Japan has made by
resettling over 200 refugees from Hong
from Hong Kong. Appreciate
that Japan recognises the humanitarian aspects of the
problem. But would ask Japan to consider making a special effort, as others (including UK) are doing to help resolve this difficult regional problem.
4.
UK has relaxed its resettlement criteria in order to
implement its policy of facilitating family reunion in UK.
If Japan could interpret some of its rules and practices more sympathetically more refugees would become eligible for
resettlement.
5.
AVEZES, JA
Accept that Japan, like other countries resettling
refugees, needs criteria against
against which to decide whom to
accept. But Japan's rules and practices appear to us very
tight. We fear they may be interpreted in such a way that
virtually none of Hong Kong's camp population can qualify
for resettlement under them.