TNAG-1418-FCO40-1901-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 180

HKK 243/2.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

19 APR 1985

DESK OFFICER

MOISTRY

Action Taken

INDEX

P

✓

صمة

pa.

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HONG KONG'S CLOSED CENTRE POLICY

47

23

tot SCORRY. (Given to News "Dept for use

briefing 18/4/15 journant

ai SCORRI report. no attratable

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 Kon

Government by events: resettlement prospects for those in Hong Kong's camps were deteriorating, while refugees continued to

arrive.

Legality of the Policy: Was it approved by UK Parliament? No. 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.)

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 from open camps, since (a) those refugees have been in Hong Kong longest, and

/(b)

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