C.
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
32.
SITUATION IN HONG KONG
Hong Kong still facing critical situation.
Now around 55,000 in
Hong Kong. On basis of screening results so far, some 40,000 likely to be screened out as non-refugees.
Very much to Hong Kong's credit that authorities have managed to accommodate such large number despite appalling practical
difficulties.
Progress in Improving Conditions in Camps
-
Conditions have improved considerably:
new accommodation coming
on stream and boat people have been moved from temporary accommodation (tents, ferries) to purpose-built accommodation.
Overcrowding reduced, although centres still remain over
capacity.
33. FIRST ASYLUM
of first asylum
Its future can
The principle of granting boat people a refuge was established at the Geneva Conference of 1979. only safely be guaranteed if governments of places of first asylum are assured those who arrive and are found not to be refugees are returned to their country of origin.
34. SCREENING
Purpose of screening is to identify genuine refugees, as defined by the 1951 UN Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees (ie well founded fear of persecution on various
grounds).
Process evolved with cooperation of UNHCR and monitored by them. UNHCR helps asylum seekers to prepare their appeals to the Review
Board.
PSRAAL