MARAAT ( 12)
E. VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
1.
General
Hong Kong has been transit point for over 130,000 Vietnamese boat people since 1975. Over 100,000 resettled.
turned away. Magificent achievement.
None have been
1987 and 1988 saw major new influx of boat people. Majority of them farmers and fishermen from North Vietnam: economic migrants rather than genuine refugees. Most did not qualify for anyone's
resettlement programmes.
Now
Hong Kong has largest boat people population in region. 26,000 people in camps in Hong Kong. Highest number since 1979.
Severely increased pressure on Hong Kong's resources and community. Very sensitive issue in Hong Kong.
HMG and Hong Kong Government co-operating closely to try to find
UK has already taken urgent practical solution to this problem.
over 13,000 Vietnamese refugees from UK since 1975.
Latest commitment of 1,000 is doubling of present rate of
intake.
Also conducting vigorous diplomatic campaign to persuade
other resettlement countries to play their full part.
Hope International Conference on Indo-Chinese refugees planned for June will add new impetus to the search for a durable solution. Hong Kong's screening and repatriation policy has our full support. Screening process monitored by UNHCR.
First group
Have made a start with voluntary repatriation. volunteers returned to Vietnam under UNHCR auspices on 2 March. Hope success of voluntary repatriation programme will encourage others to go back.
*.
Not talking about compulsory repatriation at this stage,✅ But made clear at outset that only viable option for people screened out