CONFIDENTIAL
026725
MDHIAN 1771
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS THAT ASYLUM SEEKERS, SCREENED OUT PERSONS AND REFUGEES WILL NOT BE CONFINED TO THEIR DOMITORIES FROM
DUSK TO DAWN. THE HONG KONG GOVERMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT EXEPTION-
ALLY TO CONFINE OCCUPANTS TO THEIR DORMITORIES WHEN SECURITY
REQUIREMENTS MAKE THIS NECESSARY. SUCH MEASURES WILL BE ADOPTED
ONLY ON A TEMPORARY BASIS TO BE DISCONTINUED WHEN NORMAL CONDITIONS RETURN.
(D)
CLOSED CENTRES LIBERALISATION
(1) LIBERALISATION OF CLOSED CENTRES
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL START A PROGRESSIVE LIBERALISATION OF THE
CLOSED CENTRES IN SITU. THE UNHCR THROUGH THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
WILL PROGRESSIVELY ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
CLOSED CENTRES TO BE LIBERALISED. THE TIMETABLE FOR LIBERALISATION
INCLUDING THE TRANSFER OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE
ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE HKG AND UNHCR.
(2) SAN YICK
UNHCR DOES NOT CONSIDER SAN YICK TO BE SUITABLE FOR ACCOMMODATING ASYLUM SEEKERS, SCREENED-OUT PERSONS OR REFUGEES AND URGES HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO TRANSFER THE OCCUPANTS TO ANOTHER SITE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. IN THE INTERIM PERIOD IT REQUESTS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO TAKE STEPS TO LIBERALISE THE CAMP BY ALLOWING
CHILDREN OUT FOR EDUCATION AND LETTING ADULTS OUT FOR EMPLOYMENT
TRAINING AND RECREATION PURPOSES.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO PREPARE THE SAN YICK
BUILDING FOR USE AS EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION FOR REFUGEES WAS
DICTATED BY THE PRESSURE OF A CONTINUING HIGH RATE OF ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM. HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONSIDER OPTIONS FOR REPLACEMENT ACCOMMODATION. IN THE MEANTIME THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT THE LIBERALISATION OF SAN YICK
AS QUICKLY AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY THE PARTICULAR CONDITIONS OF THE BUILDING.
UNHCR AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL ASSIST IN THE PROVISION OF
SERVICES AS PART OF THE PROGRAMME FOR THE INTERIM LIBERALISATION
OF THE CENTRE.
(3) TUN MUN AREA 46A
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DEVELOP AN OPEN REFUGEE CAMP AT
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CONFIDENTIAL