TNAG-1277-FCO40-1627-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 164

8.

EC/SCP/30

Frnex I

раде 3

a) Dossiers of the remaining cases are submitted by UNHCR to participating countries on the basis of criteria, indicated by them, as well as on the basis of wisnes of refugees, whenever feasible. The number of cases submitted will be based on a percentage of the contribution by each country to the pool;

e) Countries concerned will, after examination of the dossiers and other relevant procedures, advise UNHCR on acceptance of cases submitted under d) above;

f)

UNECR will advise participating States on their periocic intake of such refugees well in advance to enable them to make proper arrangements for the reception in their territories. The possibility of staggering intake is also envisaged;

g)

If the pool quota is exhausted, the individual flag State quarantee system will apply as at present.

It is believed that the introduction of a pool scheme for rescued cases other than those already benefiting from the DISERO scheme would result in a number of advantages not only for the refugees concerned but also for the coastal States, flaq States and non-flaq States, including traditional resettlement countries. The more important advantages may be summarized as follows:

a)

The

For the refugees, who are the ultimate beneficiaries, the scheme would help to ensure that shipmasters who encounter them in distress at sea will not be deterred from their duty to rescue for fear of well-known adverse consequences flowing from the act of rescue. automatic guarantee system would facilitate quick disembarkation. Another advantage that may accrue to the refugees from the successful operation of the scheme is that they may have a better chance of going to a country of resettlement where their individual background would favour quick integration, if possible a country of their own choice.

b) For the coastal States (or port-of-call States), the scheme would guarantee continuation of the present resettlement guarantee system and assure the departure through UNHCR of the refugees concerned in a given period of time.

c) For flag States, the scheme would facilitate advance planning for the financing, reception and integration of a given number of refugees as the successful operation of the scheme is likely to ensure that the yearly intake of refugees belonging to this category will not exceed their contribution to the pool. This will also greatly facilitate the planning and implementation of an overall refugee policy. Furthermore, any delays in finding durable solutions will not have adverse repercussions for any subsequent disembarkation, as long as the pool operates. Despite present reluctance by coastal States to waive the scheduled port of call principle, wide international participation in such a pool is likely to lead to relaxation and reconsideration of strict adherence of this principle.