f) We believe that the British Government should make modest funding available for videos and the equipment for showing them very widely in Vietnam through the many community organisations available. This should be done urgently before the coming sailing season in the Spring. We gained the impression that the Vietnamese authorities would be willing to cooperate fully in minimising this year's illegal migrations though, of course, it would be a breach of human rights actually to prevent people leaving the country.
-
g) It is important that the screening procedure should be properly understood and be seen by the asylum-seekers to be fair. It is essential that all who are determined not to have refugee status after screening should fully understand the decisions taken at the Geneva Conference and incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan of Action that they should return home.
h) It is clearly desirable to achieve the maximum return of boat people to Vietnam through the voluntary repatriation programme. The objective of all those concerned must be rapidly to expand this programme, which gives more respect than the non-volunteer programme for the dignity of those returning to Vietnam. In our view the volunteer programme could become even more attractive if the period between applying to return as a volunteer and leaving Hong Kong could be reduced.
i) In the longer term, the aim should be the creation of a single orderly return programme. Meanwhile it seems appropriate to give certain incentives to encourage voluntary return. We repeat that proper information and counselling are essential.
j) It is essential that, if there are to be further flights of non-volunteers to Vietnam, they should be conducted as humanely as possible and with regard to the dignity of the people concerned. While we found no evidence of any use of force by the Hong Kong authorities, we feel that arrangements for the flight on 12 Dec mber 1989 involved an element of overkill in the police prose ce and equipment used before departure and on board the aircra t. The non-volunteers appear to have understood after the screening process that they were to Vietnam. It was the method of return to which they objected. They seem to have received misleading information about the money to be paid to them and, in some cases, insufficient time to pack.
k) Careful thought should be given to the possibility of a programme of assistance directly related to the economic circumstances of all returnees. They will normally receive some very limited financial support, but will basically require both employment and, very often, housing. In the case of fishermen a boat provides both. But the cost of a boat and related equipment is beyond the reach of any of them. Others may need the tools of their trade and vocational training. We recognise that there could be concern in Vietnam about being
15