illegal departures, that is cited as a principle reason that many
asylum seekers in the region fear being returned to Vietnam.
The implications that pressure for enforced departure controls
may have for the general state of human rights in Vietnam are
disturbing. For the Vietnamese authorities to effectively
enforce efforts to halt clandestine departures, it would be
necessary for them to implement fairly pervasive police measures
which would severely restrict the already limited freedoms
enjoyed by the larger society.
Not only would such measures impinge upon the basic right of
individuals to leave their country of origin to seek asylum
elsewhere, but enforcement at the local level would likely entail
extensive surveillance of the general population, increased
restrictions on private trade and domestic travel, and the loss
of individual security from arbitrary search, seizure or arrest.
It would be ironic indeed to see the international community
prevail upon Vietnam to essentially reverse its recent tentative
steps towards a more open society with the unintended effect
of actually reinforcing the conditions which have helped produce
refugees in the first place.
In view of such possible negative implications, it would
appear to be more appropriate to concentrate international
efforts on the proposed public information initiatives and
cooperative measures to make legal migration programs a more
viable alternative to persons who might otherwise contemplate
clandestine exit.
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