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(m) Membership of the Intergovernmental Committee for Migration
(ICM) or lack of membership
ANSWER: We withdrew from full membership of ICM in 1969, because we
considered that the work of the organisation had departed from the activities for which it was originally set up. In particular it had become increasingly involved in technical cooperation and recruitment, which we have regarded as the province of other UN and international organisations. However we took up observer status in
1976, and still retain this. We also contribute indirectly to ICM
through our contributions to UNHCR for refugee relief, which includes reimbursement for the refugee transfer and resettlement
services provided by ICM. We have reconsidered our position
recently, and continue to feel that our original reasons for
withdrawing from full membership remain valid.
ICM ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG AND VIETNAM
ICM has played a major part in the processing and movement of
Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong, and from Vietnam under the Orderly Departure Programme. In recognition of this work, the Hong Kong Government provides ICM with rent-free accommodation and exempts its expatriate staff from local taxation.
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