2.
"Our screening of VMs are in accordance with UNHCR guidelines on procedures and criteria for determining refugee status under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees," he said.
The spokesman said the screening system also provided for an appeal mechanism, and the possibility of a UNHCR mandate should an asylum seeker fail on both initial screening and appeal.
"Those who are aggrieved at screening decisions may also seek judicial review in the courts," he said.
The spokesman said that the allegation that both the Hong Kong Government and the UNHCR, in their attempt to repatriate the screened-out VMs to Vietnam, had made conditions in the camps increasingly intolerable was totally unsubstantiated.
"While the detention camps in Hong Kong are not luxurious they are not inhumane. The conditions there are regularly monitored by the UNHCR, non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and Justices of the Peace," he said.
"Indeed, with the significant fall in the VM population in detention camps over the past year or so, the general conditions of the camps have improved rather than deteriorated.
"Suggestions of the existence of 'gang lords', or that the 'gang lords' are used by camp management to control the camps, are totally unsubstantiated. The Government will under no circumstances tolerate such situations in detention camps," the spokesman remarked.
"If there is any evidence of the existence of such 'gang lords', this should be brought immediately to the attention of the Correctional Services Department for a thorough investigation," he said.
The spokesman said that accusations of hunger and starvation in detention camps were simply ridiculous.
"All diets adopted in VM camps have been approved by the dietician in accordance with international health standards. Special diets are available to cater for the special needs of certain VMs, for example, pregnant women, elderlies, babies and patients.
"The food distribution system is also closely monitored by the camp management."
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