SCECH/SV
Mr. David Ennals,
Minister of State,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
LONDON S..1.
40
Pla on Sibe
11th June, 1974,
Dear David,
We are apprehensive about the fate of the 119 South Vietnamese who are presently detained in Hong Kong and are liable to be deported to Saigon. Most of our information is based on news- paper reports from Hong Kong and I am enclosing here the relevant newspaper cuttings.
On Sunday June 2nd, the South Vietnamese were arrested by the Hong Kong Preventive Service for breaches of the Hong Kong Irmig- ration Laws. Most of these people are men between the ages of 18 and 45 and are therefore liable for compulsory military service in South Vietnam.
South Vietnamese officials in Hong Kong would like these people to be deported to Saigon where we fear for their lives. Some sources have suggested that if they are sent back they could face a firing squad for offences under the South Vietnam conscrip- tion laws.
Many of these South Vietnamese have relatives in Hong Kong. Hore- over 15 of them are children, the youngest is 5 years old. There is a case to suggest that, on humanitarian grounds, some of these people should be allowed to remain in Hong Kong.
I understand that the Governor of Hong Kong is in Scotland and I hope it will be possible for me to see him in London next week. I would like to discuss the possibility of these people seeking asylum in other countries. I think it is vital that any decision to deport these South Vietnamese should be delayed for at least a few weeks.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Ennals Secretary General.
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