TNAG-1274-FCO40-1624-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 222

CODE 18-77

Miss Walker HKD

ре 243/1..

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

Plinyour K.

Reference

My are for cuf

115

(2) pa

©

243/1

The SCMP has reported

family reunion porders

aw. 22/27

also.

I mentioned to you that at a meeting of the British Red Cross Society last week, Mrs Leong of the Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross and Miss Susan Balfour, BRCS Overseas Development Office, told me of some difficulties with Vietnamese family reunion cases in Hong Kong. Particular problems arose if a family who had been admitted to Hong Kong or were in an open camp, were followed later by a male relative who had to be put in a closed centre. The Hong Kong authorities were very wary about possible abuses of the family reunion system. Whilst I thought that we might wish to know of any cases of separation which may lead to adverse publicity, I explained that it would be better if the Red Cross could take these up with UNHCR and the Hong Kong authorities who were responsible. I confirmed with Miss Singer of the International Welfare Section that the Red Cross was prepared to leave it at that.

21 July 1983

cc Mr Segar SEAD

Mw

D J Peate

United Nations Department K. 143

233 8631

HKK 243/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

2 5 JUL 1983

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

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