HK's
Item 3 Vietnamese Refugees*
Consideration of the human rights issues raised by policy on Vietnamese refugees (VR's) falls under 3
distinct heads :
(i)
(i)
<<
the closed camp policy
screening of post 15th June 1988 arrivals
(iii) detention of those Vietnamese Boat People (VBP's)
screened out as non-refugees after screening.
This paper will address each in turn.
Closed camps
115,
13A (1) of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap.
previous resident
Section
provides
that
any
of Vietnam or
child of such a person who arrived in Hong Kong after 2nd who was born after 31st December 1982 may be refugee centre specified by an immigration 1982, all such persons have been detained
July 1982 or
detained
officer.
in
2
Since
in closed centres pending resettlement.
closed
in
FCO are well aware of the arguments which arise
relation
the to
will not camp policy and they therefore be rehearsed here. Furthermore, criticism of the existing policy can now be countered by pointing out that HKG has undertaken to liberalise the closed camps as soon as circumstances permit. Any breaches of international
obligations
which
present
are therefore
at
The first concrete steps have
arise may
shortly to be rectified.
been
to
taken already as evidenced in the measures taken educate VR children in refugee schools outside the closed centres.
*
1
Please also see para. 4 of the updates to the Second Report.