THE BRITISH REFUGEE COUNCIL
u: puis auk
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECC Mr Hum
15 JUNE 1988
HRAD SZ
Dr Footman
19
HKD 243/12
Mr Paul Mr Kutha
+PA
BRC CALLS FOR SAFEGUARDS FOR VIETNAMESE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG
1616
The 'screening procedure' for Vietnamese refugees arriving in Hong Kong, announced today, must be accompanied by a package of safeguards for the refugees, says the British Refugee Council (BRC).
The new 'screening procedure' will distinguish between those who meet the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) definition, and other migrants. BRC insists this procedure must meet standards set by UNHCR and that all those whose applications for asylum are refused must be guaranteed a full right of appeal and, if they are still rejected, safe passage back to their homes and employment in Vietnam.
For the Vietnamese refugees now in the "closed" camps in Hong Kong, and those who are found to be refugees according to the screening procedure, BRC supports UNHCR's call for them to be moved to open camps where they should be treated according to internationally recognised standards.
BRC Director Martin Barber says, "If Vietnamese are to be returned to Vietnam in accordance with arrangements monitored by UNHCR, then the British government should contribute funds to
MORE FOLLOWS..
BONDWAY HOUSE· 3-9 BONDWAY · LONDON SW8 1SJ · TEL: 01-582 6922/3969