TNAG-1276-FCO40-1626-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 182

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CONFERENCE.

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES

NOTE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN SOUTH-RAST ASIA

The Indo-Chinese refugee problem in South-East Asia is no longer a crisis in terms of large-scale influx. It is however an increasing crisis in terms of the protection, safety and well-being of the large static caseload for whom there are no obvious solutions in sight. There are presently somewhat less than 200,000 Indo-Chinese refugees in South-East Asia, three-quarters of them in Thailand. Over 3,000 new arrivals continue to reach first asylum countries each month, mostly by boat. Another 8,000 persons are added each year by natural increase. Current resettlement efforts about 5,000 persons a month - barely exceed the increase. For the past two years, the number of boat people in camps in South-East Asia has been maintained at around 45,000. the first half of 1983, the caseload in Thailand has been reduced by only 7.58. In 1980, should the present tread continue, it is likely that there will be no new reduction in the caseload through current third country resettlement efforts.

2.

In

Based on current available evidence, resettlement may not be available as a solution for a large number of Khmer and Lao refugees in Thailand and may not be available for at least some of the boat people. Progress towards other solutions in the region remains essential if the size of the problen is to be Teduced.

3.

Indo-Chinese refugees in South-East Asia have received more international aid, and have been resettled in larger numbers over a longer period of time than any other refugee group in the history of UNHCR. More than a million Indo-Chinese have been resettled outside the region, almost 500,000 fron Thailand alone, since 1975. As for many large scale refugee situations, difficulties in finding permanent solutions increase in proportica to total numbers and the duration of the problem, There are av instant formulae for resolving the present problem. Clearly, however, it is governmenta and not UNHCR which provide or permit the solutions required. Without both a concerted and innovative approach to the grables and the commitment of all governments concerned, no significant progress can be made.

4.

The present situation is marked by a serious deterioration in terms of the physical safety and protection of the many thousands of refugees in the region. An overall approach aimed at providing durable solutions is of the utmost importance to prevent any further deterioration and to assure that the fundamental principles ip and to facilitate the office rital protection continue to be respected

urgent ongoing protectíöa responsibilities.

3. It is hoped that the recommendations following will provide a basis for action which, with the co-operation of all governments, will significantly redupe the scope of the Indo-Chinese refugee problem in South-East Asia, obviously, ne one party will initially find the package totally acceptable. If the situation is to be changed for the better, however, a much greater degree of harden-sharing will have to be forthcoming.

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