SPEAKING NOTE
« Mr Women (58) 68 Mer Codan
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REPLY TO UNHCR) Mr Mowin
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
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ME J
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1. The Hong Kong Government remains committed to operating status determination procedures, ie screening, in accordance with UNHCR guidelines.
ii.
We value the present close co-operation with UNHCR officials in monitoring and refining the procedures. We see it as important that this co-operation should continue and that any problems which are encountered should be discussed between us without publicity.
iii. With an international conference soon to be held, it is essential that UNHCR and the Hong Kong Government work together to improve the pace of the screening procedures so that effective screening, rather than a total abandonment of first asylum, will be seen elsewhere as a viable option.
iv. It is important that the screening policy in all its aspects be seen in Hong Kong to be applied fairly and consistently. The policy of first asylum is strongly opposed by a large proportion of the Hong Kong public. There is widespread scepticism in the community about the effectiveness of the new screening policy.
v. If, during the coming summer high season for Vietnamese arrivals in Hong Hong, the new policy involving screening is perceived to have failed as a deterrent, there will be renewed calls for a tougher approach, including strong pressure from the community, and probably the Legislative Council, for the policy of first asylum to be
/abandoned
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