TNAG-1418-FCO40-1901-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 182

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Evidence of tension, hopelessness and potential violence in the

closed 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)

11,300 refugees are currently in Hong Kong awaiting

resettlement. 5700 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.

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