TNAG-1181-FCO40-1483-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 74

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CONFIDENTIAL #2

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For information (15.6.82)

Introduction

XCCI(82)27

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Рсто

NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF OPEN CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

In considering memorandum XCC(82)54 on 11 May 1982, the Council noted that the Secretary for Security would report back in due course on both the closed camp concept (which is the subject of a separate paper) and the latest position regarding open camps, including an improved system of control.

Background

2

Open refugee centres were devised in 1978 on the basis that they were managed by voluntary agencies on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The refugees in these camps have been landed by an Immigration Officer under the provisions of Section 13A of the Immigration Ordinance (Chapter 115). They have special Vietnamese Refugee Identity Cards and, although they are required to reside in a specified refugee centre, so far they have been permitted to move about the Territory whilst awaiting overseas resettlement. They have been allowed to take up employment, and a policy decision to this effect was taken in 1979 in order to assist their rehabilitation and to reduce the cost of their upkeep for UNHCR.

3

The open centres at Sham Shui Po, Argyle Street Army Camp 4 and Kai Tak East have now been closed down, but Kai Tak North (now renamed Kai Tak) remains in operation and is managed by the Hong Kong Red Cross Society. With effect from 2 June 1982 the Jubilee Reception Centre has been brought into use an open centre run by Caritas Hong Kong.

4

A further 2,036 refugees (as at 4 June 1982) are accommodated in the closed centres managed by the Correctional Services Department at Victoria, Argyle Street and Ma Tau Wei, undergoing the arrival and departure procedures required by the Immigration Department, RHKPF, UNHCR and US Consulate.

5

A statement of the management, capacity and

population of refugee centres is annexed.

CONFIDENTIAL ##