DRAFT
Annex A
Statement of an Understanding reached
between the Hong Kong Government and Representative
of the UNHCR concerning the Care of Asylum Seekers
arriving from Vietnam in Hong Kong
1
The Hong Kong Government
notwithstanding the heavy burden
reaffirms that,
placed upon the
Territory by the sudden influx of people from Vietnam,
all refugees will be handled according to UNHCR
guidelines and will have access to resettlement. It
further reaffirms its undertaking that the procedure for
determining refugee status will be in strict accordance
with UNHCR guidelines appended
the 1951 Convention
and 1967 Protocol relating to
to the
the status of refugees.
It further states its commitment
to detaining those
asylum seekers determined by this procedure to be
illegal immigrants in conditions as reasonable and
unrestricted as resources and the law allow,
allow, pending their repatriation to Vietnam. The Hong Kong Government will also make every effort to improve gradually the
accommodation conditions for all Vietnamese and when
resources allow.
2
The UNHCR, while expressing its understanding
of the administrative difficulties faced by the Hong
Kong Government, declares its
declares its concern for and interest
in the fate of all asylum seekers arriving from
Vietnam. It reaffirms its responsibility to ensure the protection of all asylum seekers arriving from Vietnam.
In pursuit of that responsibility the UNHCR affirms its wish to participate in their care in Hong Kong and in the procedures for the determination of refugee status, in order to satisfy itself that the Hong Kong Government
is fulfilling its undertaking to abide by established
and accepted UNHCR guidelines.
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