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HKK 243/12
UNHCR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EXCOM) MEETING:
GENEVA, 6-13 OCTOBER
UNHCR NOTE (ES/SCP/44 OF 19 AUGUST) ON THE DETENTION OF REFUGEES AND
ASYLUM-SEEKERS
Points to Make
HONG KONG ASPECTS
(Defensive)
1.
(If asked whether Hong Kong complies with the 1951
Convention.) 1951 Convention was not extended to Hong Kong because
of territory's small size and geographical vulnerability to mass illegal immigration.
2.
(If asked whether Hong Kong's closed camps policy is criticised implicitly in the Note.) Confident Hong Kong is not a
target. Hong Kong runs its camps
as humanely as possible in the
light of the severe burdens the territory has borne in refugee and
immigration terms.
3.
(If asked about UNHCR's general attitude to Hong Kong's
closed camps.) In mid-1985 Mr Hartling, the last United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, said in Hong Kong that he did not like
idea of closed camps, but that inside the closed camp which he visited (Bowring) he "found the circumstances,
the conditions, very
encouraging". His conclusion was that the Hong Kong authorities and
the voluntary agencies were doing a very good job, for which he was
very grateful.
4.
(If asked about conditions in closed camps.) Must emphasise
that HMG and the Hong Kong Government attach
attach great importance to
ensuring that refugees are adequately cared for within the camps.
Conditions in the closed camps are at least as good as those
other refugee camps (open and closed) in the region.
in
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