TNAG-1426-FCO40-1909-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 104

The resettlement rate

y 3,700, partly due to

17,800 in 1981

had fallen by 1984 to

the rising proportion of Northerners in the

camps (currently about 50 per cent). Refugees from North Vietnam

are less likely to have family ties overseas than those from the

South and tend to be less skilled. In addition, 8 ome host countries

are reluctant to accept Northerners who have spent up to 30 years in a Communist society

as genuine refugees entitled to

resettlement.

-

permanent

Recognising the problems of enforced confinement in the closed

Vocational

embarked on

a

a special training centre is

camps, the Hong Kong Government has

training programme for the Vietnamese;

due to open in mid-1985. As well as being responsible for runping the open camps in cooperation with voluntary agencies,

voluntary agencies, UNHCR help despite their new that the policy of trying to deter refugees to finance the closed camps)

from coming in the first place is variance with the principles of international protection".

>

"at

BRITAIN'S CONCERN

In late 1984 and early 1985 the Sub-Committee (of the House of

Commons Home Affairs Committee) on Race Relations and Immigration

conducted an enquiry into the question of Refugees and Asylum with

writer

Special Reference to the Vietnamese.

resettlement in

In its evidence to the

A

Sub-Committee, HMG endorsed the UNHCR view that the third "durable

solution"

western countries like Britain was the

least acceptable long-term solution. But it reaffirmed Britain' 8

continuing international commitment to resettle ship rescue cases

and refugees eligible to join relatives already in Britain.

The

Government had decided in 1978 that refugees rescued by ships

registered in Britain would normally be accepted for resettlement if

no other country had agreed to take them within 90 days of the

rescue. In July 1984, Britain agreed to join the UNHCR Rescue at

Sea Resettlement Offers (RASRO) scheme for a trial period. The aim

is to encourage ship rescues of boat people and to spread refugees

When the scheme beyou on 1 May 1985 evenly between resettlement countries.

Up to October 19845 more than 2500 Western countries had pledged 2,300 places, under the scheme out

L including trade 44,000 Britain. heving provided—a—quote—8£158

a quofa of 150 vovided

Under family reunion provisions, Britain applies the 8 ame

to

-places

H