TNAG-1425-FCO40-1908-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 111

CONFIDENTIAL

CONSEQUENCES OF THE CLOSED CENTRE POLICY

7. Effect on arrivals

The policy has be en

successful in its

its aims in that

it appears to

1983 arrivals

have helped to reduce the number of refugee arrivals:

were 53% down on 1982, 1984 were 39% down on 1983, (compared with

reductions of 36% in 1983, and 11% in 1984 in the South East Asian

region as a whole). Against this success mus t be offset the following negative points:

(a) Social/psychological consequences

Average length of stay in the closed centres is now 17 months; longest stayers have been there 2 years. There is growing concern

that the confinement is making refugees more difficult to settle

elsewhere and prone to violence. There have been sporadic outbreaks of violence and a 3 day hunger strike. Such manifestations seem

certain to increase and worsen unless prospects for resettlement improve markedly.

(b) Western Public Opinion

Although there has been a perhaps surprising level of understanding

of what is undoubtedly a distasteful policy, it has been criticised

by some British MPs and journalists visiting Hong Kong. The British

Refugee Council, the main UK body concerned with refugee questions

have examined the policy and have made suggestions as to how the

centres might be improved. Some of these have been

been implemented.

The BRC, while remaining critical, appear to regard the centres as a

necessary evil, and recognise that there is no prospect of the Hong

Kong Government abandoning them while boat people continue to

arrive. UNHCR, although they help finance the centres, have stated

publicly that they consider the

of refugees "under

detention

prison-like conditions for prolonged periods of time, in accordance

with a policy of so-called humane deterrence"

with the principles of international protection".

(c) Hong Kong Public Opinion

to be "at variance

There is strong public support for the closed centre policy in Hong Kong. Many people feel that the Hong Kong Government's treatment of Vietname s e refugees is too generous, especially when compared to

CONFIDENTIAL