XN000022-1982-06-30 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1982

SUPPORT FOR CLOSED CAMPS

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THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON R.H. LOBO, SPEAKING FOR ALL HIS COLLEAGUES AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, EXPRESSED FULL SUPPORT FOR THE SETTING UP OF CLOSED CAMPS FOR THE DETENTION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.

HE SAID THAT DESPITE ITS OWN OVER-POPULATION PROBLEMS, HONG KONG HAD FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS TAKEN A HUMANITARIAN STAND IN PROVIDING TEMPORARY ASYLUM FOR REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM.

HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WAS A REAL DANGER THAT MANY OF THE SO-CALLED REFUGEES WHO HAD BEEN HERE FOR SOME TIME WERE COMING TO LOOK UPON HONG KONG AS A PLACE FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE AND THAT OTHERS MIGHT BE THINKING OF JOINING THEM.

*THIS MUST BE DISCOURAGED AT ALL COSTS AND ALL REASONABLE STEPS TAKEN TO DETER FURTHER ARRIVALS,+ MR LOBO STRESSED.

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+UNPLEASANT THOUGH IT MAY BE AND THE MEASURES PROPOSED HAVE NOT BEEN DECIDED ON LIGHTLY THE CONFINEMENT OF NEWCOMERS TO CLOSED CAMPS IS SEEN AS A NECESSARY STEP TOWARDS THIS END.

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+THIS IS NO MORE THAN WHAT MANY COUNTRIES HAVE DONE FROM THE OUTSET.+

HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE, HOWEVER THAT AN AMENDMENT WAS TO BE PROPOSED IN THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL TO PROVIDE A SAFEGUARD AGAINST UNLAWFUL DETENTION.

IN ADDITION, MR LOBO SAID, THOSE REFUGEES WHO HAS ABUSED OUR HOSPITALITY AND TURNED THEIR OPEN CAMPS INTO BATTLEFIELDS SHOULD HAVE NO RIGHT TO FREEDOM HERE.

+WE WOULD URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE THE RESETTLEMENT OF THESE REFUGEES OUTSIDE HONG KONG WITH RENEWED VIGOUR AND, AT THE SAME TIME, TO EXAMINE ALL POSSIBLE MEANS OF SECURING THEIR REPATRIATION.

+1 CAN ONLY ADD THAT THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL PLEDGE OUR WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE OBJECTIVES, HE SAID.

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