TNAG-0794-FCO40-998-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 155

CONFIDENTIAL

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1.

INTRODUCTION

At its twenty-ninth session, in October 1978, the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme. welcomed the High Commissioner's intention to call consultations with all interested governments on the problem of refugees in South East Asia. This Note has been prepared for the consideration of participants in the consultations that are to be held in Geneva on 11 December 1978.

Purpose of the consultations

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2. In considering the need for consultations, the Executive Committee recorded its concern that the number of refugees in South East Asia was growing and recognized the difficulties encountered by countries in the region, particularly since current resettlement programmes did not provide sufficient places for the numbers involved. The Committee felt that there was need to bring to the attention of the international community the increasing magnitude of the problem and urged all concerned to give full consideration to means of resolving the problem by giving appropriate assistance to programmes in countries of the region, and by intensifying action to promote resettlement of the refugees in a wider range of countries.

3. Further, the Executive Committee expressed deep concern as to the fate of refugees in distress on the high seas and adopted a decision recommending a series of specific steps to be taken in this regard.

4. The High Commissioner wishes to express his deep gratitude to all who have supported his efforts: the countries of the region and of resettlement, those who have contributed financially and many intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. While it is evident that the problem of refugees and displaced persons in South East Asia derives from the social and political evolution of the region, the work of the High Commissioner must remain entirely humanitarian and non-political. He is, therefore, heartened by the appreciation and understanding of his role as expressed by all concerned. It is his firm view, however, that a major and co-ordinated response to the problem is required of the international community. To be successful, the response must recognize the inter-relationships in the region as a whole and their external dimensions. It is imperative that the refugees and displaced persons be helped wherever they are, in all parts of the region, not merely selectively. Failing this there will be additional reasons for problems to spill over frontiers.

5.

Since the Executive Committee met, it is evident that the difficulties have heightened, not eased, as the number of refugees and displaced persons has increased. This is true both in respect of those who have crossed land frontiers, and those who have taken to sea.

6. It has always been the purpose of UNHCR, which now needs to be reiterated, that humane and durable solutions should be found for refugee problems as rapidly as possible. Traditionally, these solutions have required either voluntary repatriation, the self-sufficiency of refugees in countries of first asylum, resettlement in third countries, or a combination of these measures. Whatever the solution, however, the starting point has of necessity been the granting of at least temporary asylum.

CONFIDENTIAL