TNAG-1185-FCO40-1487-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 171

Mrs. D.B. Lasan

CONFIDENTIAL

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1-24

8th November 1982

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closed centre rules. A simplified notice describing in Vietnamese the procedures to be followed in the event of any detainee wishing to make a complaint (either to the staff or to a visiting Justice of the Peace) has also been prepared.

The continuing problem posed by the language barrier between Cantonese/English-speaking staff and ethnic Vietnamese refugees will be reduced in the long-term by departmental language training programmes for staff posted to refugee centres and language lessons for refugees (or at least for those of them willing to learn). In the short-term, we are currently seeking to recruit full-time Vietnamese interpreters in closed centres; we may also run a check through the public service to identify any current staff with Vietnamese language skills who could be seconded to the closed centres.

Although no evidence has been adduced to support any disciplinary charge against any member of the staff at Tai Tam, the Commissioner is reviewing the staffing situation at the centre to determine whether certain officers are in one way or another unsuited to this difficult and unusual type of work, and should be transferred elsewhere.

While remaining concerned that adolescent single female refugees should not be placed relatively unprotected in a centre containing male refugees of all ages, the Commissioner has noted your strong representations that these girls should be transferred to Chi Ma Wan, or, failing that, to the Tai Lam Centre for women. We do not favour the latter. We remain most reluctant to place adolescent females in close proximity to hardened adult female offenders. But we are prepared to transfer the 18-21 age group from Tai Tam Gap to Chi Ma Wan, together with any of the younger (under 18) age group who can substantiate a claim to have family connections in another closed centre. We cannot agree to transfer the remainder of the younger age group to Chi Ma Wan. To do so would make them unacceptably vulunerable to sexual pressures from male refugees in the centre. We propose to implement this move to Chi Ma Wan shortly, unless you indicate strong reservations to the contrary.

6. May I conclude by saying that the Hong Kong Government is most grateful to you for bringing these complaints to our attention.

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(D. G. Jeaffreson)

Secretary for Security

CONFIDENTIAL