TNAG-0498-FCO40-563-Deportation-of-foreign-nationals-from-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 59

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material, where this is possible without revealing the source, the following:

The son of a distinguished and internationally-known South Vietnamese reported that a family friend had personally witnessed to brutal assaults on refugees upon their arrival from Hong Kong.

The Saigon officer of an established international relief agency informed us that most of the refugees were brutally assaulted upon their arrival in Saigon from Hong Kong. The assaults happened on a number of occasions and in several cases parents denied knowing their own children for fear of repurcusions.

One of the three women who are held in prison in Saigon, Kwok Po Yee (also known as Hung Tu Muoi), is reported to be ill and in need of hospital treatment, of the kind she received in Hong Kong.

In view of reports such as these, we feel strongly the need for an impartial enquiry, not just to determine in retrospect what had happened on the return of the refugees to South Vietnam, but also to ensure that those among the 118 who are still held in prison are being treated humanely.

I am

I note that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has looked into the allegations and have not so far been able to substantiate them. certain that you would agree that such investigations cannot be satisfactory and conclusive without the open cooperation of the Saigon authorities. It is for this reason that we have urged the British Government to test the worth of the assurances given by the Saigon authorities. If the South Vietnamese Government had acted in good faith in giving assurances that the refugees were not to be given exceptional harsh treatment, and if it has acted correctly since their return to South Vietnam, then surely no harm could be done by an impartial and independent enquiry. And yet, as far as we know, not a single outside observer including British Embassy officials - has had the opportunity to speak to the individuals concerned, to ascertain simply and conclusively the truth of the allegations.

J

The evidence is not to be found here in London but in South Vietnam, in the persons and the welfare of the individuals concerned. Ch our vans have initiated a more complete regration sa paurious Marek treatment and the entirent position of the group. I again urge the British Govern- ment to undertake such enquiries as are necessary to assure itself and the rest of the world that the assurances that were vivon & Bhan

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