CONFIDENTIAL
4. REFUGEES AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Article 12(2) of the UN Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights provides that everyone shall be free to leave any
country, including his own, subject to qualifications necessary
to protect public security and order. But there is no human
right to live in a foreign country of one's choice.
5. THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
The functions of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees are to carry out tasks laid on him by the Convention
and by UN members to protect the interests of refugees; to
raise funds; and also to assist countries of asylum in
promoting durable solutions to refugee problems through
yoluntary repatriation, local integration or other resettlement.
6. BRITISH AID TO REFUGEES
Last year Britain contributed more than £25 million from
the Aid Programme to assist refugees through the Relief
Programmes of the European Community and the United Nations
system. We are amongst the largest contributors to the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian
Refugees and the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees.
REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
7. ARE THE CLOSED CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UK'S INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS?
Hong Kong's closed centres are a temporary measure forced
on the Hong Kong Government by events. For refugees arriving
in Hong Kong, prospects for resettlement are now extremely
poor. In their own interests they must be discouraged from
/leaving Vietnam.
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