4.
(c)
(a)
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On those who do not meet refugee criteria, Canada and Australia remain strongly in favour of screening. The guidance package refers to "the differning needs of arrivals depending on the validity of their claims to international protection". During the meeting it was clear that all present, including the US, were prepared to contemplate indefinite detention pending repatriation to Vietnam of those screened out (i.e. on the lines of arrangements already put in place by Thailand). The main concern was that proper arrangements should be made to identify genuine refugees for resettlement. UNHCR was also concerned that screening would institutionalse the de facto screening out which now takes place, and wondered how those screened out would be handled. They would prefer screening out to be preceeded by increasing pressure on Vietnam to accept the return of those of no concern to the international community.
On aid to Vietnam, UNHCR tabled a paper which will probably be discussed further in the contact group. Initial reactions were that any programme could only start in a modest way (perhaps as part of arrangements for the return of the limited number of Hong Kong voluntary return cases), and that UNHCR's proposals were a little ambitious. But delegations all agreed to consider UNHCR's paper; no objections were raised to its general aims, and there was general agrement that UNHCR could now sound out the Vietnamese.
Privately, Canada and Australia indicated to me at the working level that, if Hong Kong were to introduce a screening out programme, they would positively consider joining an international effort to relieve Hong Kong of the current Vietnamese boat people population. The US attitude is not clear.
Possible way ahead for Hong Kong
5. If Hong Kong does decide to press ahead with a new initiative it could be on the following lines:
under
(a) the introduction of screening at a date to be announced
followed by indefinite detention of those screened out pending repatriation;
(b)
HMG, if practicable with Hong Kong Government involvement, to mount an international initiative
(i) to secure commitments from the main resettlement countries and through UNHCR to offer places to those in closed centres on the relevant date. Resettlement could take place over an agreed period,
an agreed period, say 2 years.
(ii) to secure commitments from the main resettlement countries and through UNHCR to offer places to those who are screened in future arrangements.
We could
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