TNAG-1185-FCO40-1487-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 124

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH

P J Williamson Esq Security Branch

Government Secretariat HONG KONG

Telephone 01- 233 3184

296

Your reference

Our reference

14 in CR 14/4821/82

HKK 243/1

Date

29 November 1982

HHF243|1

Ian Patrick,

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

292

1. I was very grateful to you for your letter of 12 November enclosing a copy of David Jeaffreson's of 8 November to Mrs Lasan. Because of the human rights implications of closed camps, we certainly need to be aware of any problems that arise in their day-to-day operation. This episode does perhaps illustrate the difficulties of using staff from the Correctional Services Depart- ment to deal with refugees, however necessary this may be.

2.

It is clear that there was a thorough investigation into the allegations and I am glad that David's letter dealt so fully with all the complaints. I hope that the manner in which you responded to Mrs Lasan will encourage her to bring any future complaints

to your notice more quickly. Certainly your action should contribute to the maintenance of good relations between yourselves and UNHCR to which, as you know, we attach considerable importance.

3. Your letter and enclosure, and this reply are being copies to SEAD and UND and UKMIS Geneva.

сс

SEAL/FCO UND/FCO

UKMIS GENEVA

Dil

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL