DAYADE
IS REPATRIATION A VIABLE OPTION?
Growing international consensus that repatriation of non refugees, subject to suitable safeguards, is necessary.
:
I raised this with Vietnamese Foreign Minsiter on 7 June. Vietnam well aware of our views and pressure of international opinion.
Their current position is that repatriation must be considered on case by case basis. But now show some readiness to consider more comprehensive arrangements. Must maintain pressure.
SCREENING
Screening will be carried out by the Hong Kong Government under UNHCR guidelines to establish whether new arrivals meet criteria for refugee status. UNHCR will be invited to observe screening procedures in action and will have the opportunity to be involved in
appeals.
Confident that these arrangements will ensure that refugees are properly distinguished from those who do not meet standard refugee criteria.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE SCREENED IN AS REFUGEES?
They will be accommodated with those who arrived before the new policy is introduced, initially in closed centres.
These arrangements will work to the best interests of those who
are accorded refugee status.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES
They will be detained as illegal immigrants pending their return to Vietnam when arrangements for their return, under suitable safeguards, have been agreed with the Vietnamese authorities. They will be accommodated in closed centres run on similar lines to the existing closed centres.