The centre was opened in January 1979 and has never been easy to manage, largely because it comprises a mixture of old converted high and low-rise buildings as well as purpose-built refugee huts. Moreover being the last open centre has meant that it has become the one in which all those who have failed for one reason or another to qualify for resettle- ment have now accumulated. Thus it accommodates some 800 refugees who have been here for over three years, and a further 3,900 who have been here for over 21 years. Under present. circumstances there is not much chance of resettlement for them in the immediate future. However the incentive of eventual- resettlement and rent-free accommodation is sufficiently attractive for the refugees to continue to reside in this open centre under a relatively slender management system.
7
The management of open, centres is governed by agreements between the UNHCR and the various voluntary agencies. These deal in the main with the financial reimbursement of services by the UNHCR, but are also supported by a set of management rules. These rules are complemented by a "Handbook for Centre Managers issued in June 1981 following discussions between the UNHCR, the voluntary agencies and the Administration. In addition, and after further consultation, in June 1981, statutory rules providing for the treatment and control of the conduct of refugees were made by the Secretary for Security under Section 13C of the Immigration Ordinance.
Options
8
In the light of recent developments a review of the management of open centres has been undertaken. Several options have been considered. In summary the options and the conclusions on them are as follows -
(a)
abandon open centres and detain those in them in closed centres. Since on 4 June 1982 there were 7,864 refugees (the majority law-abiding) in the open centres, the management, security and accommodation implications of this option would be very considerable. At this stage it is not considered to be a practicable proposition;
G.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL
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