TNAG-1417-FCO40-1900-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 69

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Evidence of tension, hopelessness and potential violence in the

closed centres

Paragraph 19(i) of part IB of our Memorandum describes the type of problem which can result from the tension in the centres. Earlier, in February 1983, because of friction

between Northern and Southern Vietnamese, the two groups had

to be segregated into separate centres.

As resettlement prospects diminish, the refugees'

frustration is bound to increase. Although the Hong Kong

Government aims to ensure that the refugees' needs are provided for as fully as possible, and to preserve law and order in the centres, it is only too well aware that life in the centres is unsatisfactory in the long term, and that other solutions

must be found.

CURRENT REFUGEE STATISTICS (JANUARY 1985)

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11,900 refugees are currently in Hong Kong awaiting

resettlement. 6,000 of these are in closed centres.

2,200 refugees arrived in Hong Kong in 1984, representing a 39% decrease over 1983. Departures to resettlement countries totalled 3,800 representing a 12% decrease over 1983.

The attached chart shows the fluctuations in Hong Kong's refugee population since 1979.

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