TNAG-1425-FCO40-1908-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 237

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CONSEQUENCES OF THE CLOSED CENTRE POLICY

7.

Effect on arrivals

The policy has been

have helped to

to reduce

successful in its aims in that

the number of refugee arrivals:

it appears to

1983 arrivals

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

reductions of 36% in 1983, and 11% in 1984

region as

a whole).

following negative points:

(a)

in the South East Asian

Against this success

Social/psychological consequences

Average length of stay in the closed centres

must be offset the

i s 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

policy and have made suggestions as to how the

centres might be improved. Some of these have been implemented.

is

appear to regard the centres as a there no prospect of the Hong

while boat people continue to

centres, have stated

of refugees "under

The BRC, while remaining critical, necessary evil, and recognise that

Kong Government abandoning them

arrive. UNHCR, although they help finance the

publicly that they consider the

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

detention

with a policy of so-called humane deterrence"

with the principles of international protection".

(c) Hong Kong Public Opinion

There

is

Kong.

to be "at variance

treatment of

strong public support for the closed centre policy in Hong

Many people feel that the Hong Kong Government's

refugees is too generous, especially when

Vietnamese

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compared to