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FCO/HOME OFFICE SEMINAR: 18/19 NOVEMBER: WISTON HOUSE
Vietnamese Boat People in Hong Kong
Points to make
1.
In past year, number of boat people in Hong Kong has trebled to 25,000. Most recent arrivals clearly not political refugees: majority are simple fishermen and farmers from North, motivated by
desire for a better standard of life.
2. Hong Kong introduced screening policy on 16 June. Those few who
meet UNHCR refugee criteria will continue to have access to
resettlement. Others will be held in Hong Kong pending eventual
repatriation to Vietnam, with suitable safeguards for treatment on return. Sharp fall in arrivals since September. Hope that new policy will be effective as deterrent. Good co-operation with
UNHCR over screening and repatriation of volunteers.
We
3. International community now focussing on the problem. Likely to
be International Conference on Indo Chinese Refugees next year.
support the idea and will attend.
4. Talks with Vietnamese. Agreed comprehensive arrangements necessary for post 16 June non-refugees. Agreed to start with voluntary returns. Arrangements in hand for UNHCR repatriation programme, to include modest reintegration assistance, monitoring
and assurances about treatment of returnees.
Ministers considering additional resettlement commitment necessary in order to get extra offers from major resettlement countries. Will also help us to counterbalance public antipathy to
idea of repatriation of non refugees.
5.
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