CONFIDENTIAL
[s.
6.
If UNHCR ask if this approach means that we are
considering involuntary repatriation of refugees in
Hong Kong, you should say that we have always
accepted and observed the principle of non-refoulement
Hong Kong has a proud record as a place of temporary
asylum. However, as some resettlement countries are
refusing to take some of the boat people in Hong Kong
on the grounds that they are not genuine refugees,
we have been forced to consider whether we should
treat them as illegal immigrants, subject to
deportation. Such a policy could of course only be
considered for those who did not meet the criteria
laid down in the 1951 UN Convention on the status
of refugees and if we were satisfied that they would
not be persecuted on return to Vietnam. Moreover,
we believe that many refugees now in Hong Kong with
little or no hope of resettlement may be tempted to
return to Vietnam if it was clear that they would not
be mistreated.
J
CONFIDENTIAL
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