non-existent.
The UNHCR are able to monitor the
screening procedures to ensure that they are carried out
fairly. They can also assist appelants who wish to
appeal against screening decisions.
Those who are found not to be genuine refugees will
be detained as illegal immigrants pending their eventual
return to Vietnam. We hope that when individuals in this
position recognise that they have no prospect of
resettlement they will of their own accord elect to
return to Vietnam. But in any case in pressing the
Vietnamese authorities to agree to the repatriation of
ing non-refugees we will insist on satisfactory assurances
that repatriated persons will be humanely treated on
their return.
are
You suggest that the implementation of the new
procedures should first have been discussed within the
framework of a UN Conference. Given the pressure of
large numbers of arrivals in Hong Kong over the recent
months and the dwindling resettlement prospects for the
very large majority of them, I believe that it was right
to introduce the new measures with the minimum of delay.