1
19. To encourage non-refugees to return to Vietnam, a Voluntary Repatriation Programme was introduced by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
in March 1989. The Vietnamese Government have given
assurances that all those who return to Vietnam either voluntarily or otherwise will not be subject to discrimination or persecution. The UNHCR and others monitor their treatment after their return to Vietnam. Since 1989, 34,000 Vietnamese migrants have returned to Vietnam from Hong Kong and there has not been a single substantiated case of persecution or
discrimination.
20.
Following discussions in Hanoi between the governments of the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Vietnam, the UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration, a statement of understanding was signed on 29 October 1991. The agreement confirmed Vietnamese acceptance of all non-refugees in the camps of Hong Kong and outlined the arrangements for their return. The agreement provided that, inter alia, all new arrivals from 29 October 1991 onwards would be screened on
arrival and those found to be non-refugees would be promptly returned home. Following further discussions with the Vietnamese Government, agreement was reached on 12 May 1992 on the details of an Orderly Repatriation Programme (ORP) for all
non-refugees already in Hong Kong camps. Under this programme, the Hong Kong Government has returned a total of 735 non-refugees to Vietnam.
ARBITRARY AND INDEFINITE DETENTION
21. There is no question of the Vietnamese asylum seekers being detained indefinitely in Hong Kong's detention centres. All asylum seekers arriving in Hong Kong are informed by way
of a written notice of the Hong Kong Government's policy of detention pending status determination and, if found to be non-refugees, repatriation to Vietnam. They are given a choice of either remaining in Hong Kong where they are
Arb.Det