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96 VMs depart on orderly repatriation flight
A group of 96 Vietnamese migrants (VMs) returned by air to Hanoi, Vietnam, today (Tuesday) on the 31st flight under the Orderly Repatriation Programme (ORP).
The returnees, comprising 52 men, 23 women, 13 boys and eight girls, are all from North Vietnam.
The majority of them arrived in Hong Kong in 1989, with the remaining in 1988, 1990, 1991 and last year.
The group brought the total number repatriated on ORP flights since November 1991 to 2,167.
The seventh Steering Committee of the Comprehensive Plan of Action reaffirmed last week that the only viable option for the non-refugees was return to Vietnam.
Commenting on today's flight, the Refugee Co-ordinator, Mr Brian Bresnihan, said the Government would prefer if the remaining VM population in Hong Kong opted to return home voluntarily.
"If they do not choose to do so, they will be returned under ORP. We are determined to resolve the VM problem as soon as possible," he said.
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Monitors' Report submitted to CS
The monitors appointed to observe the Orderly Repatriation Programme operation this (Tuesday) morning have submitted their report to the Chief Secretary.
The monitors were Dr Li Sze-bay, a Justice of the Peace, and Mr Tik Chi-yuen from Oxfam.
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