Government as they have to accommodate each refugee. Mr. Leeks
also stated that the "closed" centres were introduced as a
deterrent, however, more will have to be done to show refugees
they are not welcome in Hong Kong.
Immigration
As for the new arrivals, Mr. Yan stated that nominal rolls for six
boats would be ready to pass on to UNHCR for processing and three
would be ready the following week. Mr. Yan mentioned that new
arrivals are farmers, fishermen and labourers who speak neither
English nor Chinese, only Vietnamese. With the Immigration Department's shortage of interpreters, the rate of individual
interviews tends to slow down.
Mr. Chuasai commented that UNHCR along with the Hong Kong
Immigration Department are continuing a review of cases in Hong
Kong, therefore, we have to divide our manpower resources in close cooperation with the Hong Kong Immigration and allocate these
resources adequately.
I.C.M.
Miss Young stated that during the past six months an average of
350 persons per month have been moved. Recently in close
collaboration with UNHCR, I.C.M. has been documenting cases that
fall into the handicapped category. The I.C.M. team during the
last two months has completed 43 cases, totalling 190 persons.
They will be back at the end of the month to look at another 20
cases.
Mrs. Lasan expressed the hope that this sophisticated documentation will enhance a higher acceptance rate by resettlement countries.
(4) Status of Ship Rescue Cases
Mr. Chuasai introduced this topic by saying that five vessels
carrying 287 refugees have arrived since the last resettlement
meeting, all have been given resettlement guarantees prior to
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