Flag E Flag F
contrary.
10. Thirdly, as in the case of Leung Pak-kin, we could bell the Governor that where illegal immigrants, including any members of the 119, have evidence that they would be compte by a third country such as Taiwan, they should be alloven to go there, rather than returned to face the possibilit of punishment, however slight. I have asked the Governor (FCO tele. No. 536) whether any of the 119 already have such- evidence. ile has replied (Hong Kong Telegram lio. 623) theb they have not.
11. Or fourthly we could ask the Governor to instruct hin officials to make active efforts to find a safe haven for illegal immigrants who would face any possibility of punicbres. on return to their country of origin. This could involve, the Hong Kong Government enlisting, for example, the help of the U.N. High Commissioner for refugees.
RECOMMENDATION
,
12. I believe the balance of policy must lie with the third option. Except in extradition cases, both the dong dom Government and HMG would be criticised if people were returned to face punishment, when they could show that theg were acceptable somewhere else. On the otherhand, if long en came to be regarded as a safe two way bet, by which either the immigrant would escape detection and stay there, or the Hong Kong Government would find him somewhere else to po, then there would be a great danger of a flood of illegal. immigrants.
13. It would have been desirable to discuss this with the
Governor personally, before taking a decision. But the code
CONFIDENTIAL
/of
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.