GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.
SAT 24 JUL 93 00:20
PG.06
THIRD, THESE OPERATIONS RESULT IN SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMAN DIGNITY. PASSENGERS ON THESE SMUGGLING SHIPS ARE SUBJECTED TO CONDITIONS IN TRANSIT THAT RANGE FROM DEPLORABLE TO LIFE-THREATENING. ARRIVAL IN THE 11.5., FORMER PASSENGERS ARE SUBJECTED TO INDENTURED SERVITUDE, OFTEN IN SLAVE-LIKE AND EVEN LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS.
AND AFTER
SHIPS USED IN THESE OPERATIONS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BE PASSENGER SHTPS. AS MENTIONED, THE CONDITIONS ABOARD THESE VESSELS ARE DETRIMENTAI. TO THE MEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE MIGRANTS, THE M/V EAST WOOD AND OTHER RECENT CASES CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THAT THESE VESSELS ARE GENERALLY IN POOR MATERIAL CONDITION, ARE UNSUITABLE FOR PASSENGERS, AND MAY NOT BE CAPABLE OF COMPLETING THE VOYAGE,
BY EMBARKING LARCE NUMBERS OF MIGRANTS, THESE VESSELS ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA (SOLAS) CONVENTION, TO WHICH HOST GOVERNMENTS (INCLUDING CHINA) ARE PARTY.
AS THE GOVERNMENT OF A COUNTRY WITH MAJOR PORTS, YOU MAY BE IN A POSITION ON OCCASION TO TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT THESE SMUGGLING SHIPS FROM PROCEEDING TO SEA.
IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES AT SEA AND TO REDUCE THE BURDEN OF THIS POTENTIAL CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, WE REQUEST THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO TAKE EFFECTIVE ACTIONS TO STOP THESE ORGANIZATIONS FROM PLANNING, OUTFITTING AND IMPLEMENTING ILLEGAL MIGRANT SMUGGLING OPERATIONS USING YOUR PORTS AND TERRITORY AS STAGING AREAS.
WE ALSO REQUEST THAT YOU PREVENT SHIPS FROM LEAVING YOUR PORTS IF YOU HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THEY ARE ENGAGED IN OR PREPARING TO ENGAGE IN ALTEN SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES.
WE FURTHER REQUEST THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO TAKE EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THESE VESSELS AND CONSORTIUMS INVOLVED IN THESE ACTIVITIES.