1
Vietnamese refugees is one that Britain must play a major part in solving, either by forced repatriation to Vietnam or by encouraging other countries to take more by increasing our quota.
4) TUEN MUN CLOSED CENTRE (formerly Bowring)
Tuen Mun is undoubtedly the showcase of the closed camps. The fences are still very much in evidence as are the CSD but the whole feel of the camp is
one of a more liberal approach towards the refugee and the immediate impression that is gained is one of activity and a sense of purpose. I went to this camp with Father Jeff Foale from the Indo-China Refugee Association, Australia. We were given a pre-visit opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues with the Superintendent of the Camp. I knew, from discussions with Belinda, that Tuen Mun was the camp in which all unaccompanied minors were held. I asked how many there were and was told that there were in excess of 120 minors. I also asked if it would be possible to have a list of them which I was provided with. The superintendent explained to me that the camp was, at present, rather overcrowded because of the numbers of refugees from the North who had been arriving. I knew that the camp was a mixture of South and North Vietnamese and asked if there had been problems on this front. I was told that there had been no problems. The Superintendent felt that this was largely due to the fact that the regieme of the camp was geared so that refugees had as much freedeom as the space would allow and were encouraged to be as independent as possible. My feeling was that this gentleman had grasped the root of the nettle so far as the Closed Camps were concerned and was attempting to allow life to continue in as
unartificial manner as possible under the very difficult circumstances imposed upon him, his staff and the refugees.
she was
room
We then started the visit round the camp. I had hoped to be able to meet the Project Leader from the Save the Children Fund who ran education and welfare projects for refugees in the camp. However,
interviewing for a member of staff and was unable to accompany us on our tour. The Superintendent spoke very highly of her and the work she had done during the time she had been in the camp. As in both Hei Ling Chau and Chi Ma Wan people were sitting in the waiting
for interviews. One thing I noticed at all the camps and which I found odd was the fact that the interview areas are always fenced off. At Hei Ling Chau they were across the road and up a flight of steps. At Chi Ma Wan they were seperated from the rest of the camp by a fence, and at Tuen Mun there was also a fence. During the time that I visited these two camps it seemed that the gates between the main camp and the interview areas were not kept closed and refugees were able to wander freely. It is my opinion that these fences do nothing more than to provide a yet more institutional feel to the camps and reinforce the already abundantly clear message
"You have been detained". Why are they necessary? If the gates were left open purely for effect during the times I visited (which I very much doubt) there is no harm in having them the time and 50 no point in having either them or the fences in place!
!
open
all
We passed through the gate into the main camp. The first
thing I