TNAG-1417-FCO40-1900-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 67

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HONG KONG'S CLOSED CENTRE POLICY

As I am sure you know, closed centre policy was introduced in July 1982 in an attempt to deter further boat people from setting out from Vietnam. The measure was forced on the Hong Kong Government by events: resettlement prospects for those in Hong Kong's camps were deteriorating, while refugees continued to

(although the arrival rate has declined) arrive. That is still the situation,

ation, and the Hong Kong Government can therefore see no alternative but to continue the

policy at present.

No.

Legality of the Policy: Was it approved by UK Parliament?

It was established by Hong Kong's Immigration (Amendment) 'Ordinance 1982. (The order was made by the Governor with advice

and consent of the Legislative Council, under powers conferred

by the Letter Patent and Royal Instructions. It was then

submitted to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth

Affairs who decided not to disallow it.)

+2

Human Rights Aspects of Closed Centre Policy

We understand why some commentators should express concern on

this score: but we regard the policy as a temporary and regrettable necessity in the circumstances of Hong Kong.

If UK were to accept more refugees, should they come from closed or open camps?

We would not feel strongly about this: the main priority from

our point of view is to set the ball rolling on resettlement and

encourage other countries to follow our lead. The Hong Kong

Government might prefer the refugees to be taken

since (a) those refugees have been in Hong Kong

from open camps,

longest, and

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/(b)