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contrary.
10. Thirdly, as in the case of Leung Pak-kin, we could tell the Governor that where illegal immigrants, including any members of the 119, have evidence that they would be accepted by a third country such as Taiwan, they should be allowed to go there, rather than returned to face the possibility of punishment, however slight. I have asked the Governor (FCC tele. No. 536) whether any of the 119 already have such evidence. He has replied (Hong Kong Telegram No. 623) that they have not.
11.
Or fourthly we could ask the Governor to instruct his
officials to make active efforts to find a safe haven for illegal immigrants who would face any possibility of punishment 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.
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12. I believe the balance of policy must lie with the third option. Except in extradition cases, both the Hong Kong Government and HMG would be criticised if people were
returned to face punishment, when they could show that they were acceptable somewhere else. On the otherhand, if Hong Kong 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 go, 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 case
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