TNAG-1392-FCO40-1864-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 157

CONFIDENTIAL

;

increased (although in 1984 the proportion

slightly declined)

that Northerners ar

il

Resettlement countries are reluctant to accept true refugees fleeing from political oppression when, unlike thos from the South, they have lived under communist rule for 30 years They regard them instead as "economic migrants" who are simply search of a better future. Surveys conducted by the Hong Kong Immigration Department have indeed shown that 54% of new arrivals since early 1983 have left Vietnam for economic reasons, whereas only 26% have Jone So for political reasons. (The remaining 20% have left for other reasons eg to seek family reunion). However, whatever the initial

reason for departure, as long as the Vietnamese refuse to take them back, there is little option in practice but t c continue to treat "economic migrants" As refugees, which is consistent with the understanding reached during the 1979 Geneva Conference, even though they may be subject to neither ethnic nor political persecution.

(FOOTNOTE)

is

a

The 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees defines

refugee as any person who "owing to well-founded fear of being

persecuted for reasons of

race, religion, nationality, membership of

a particular social group or political opinion,

outside the

country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself

of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his

former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable owing to such fear, is unwilling to

to return to it".

Dr,

CONFIDENTIAL