TNAG-1525-FCO40-2089-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 10

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TOS CORR

FAMILY REUNION CRITERIA

Recommendation 1

Family reunion criteria should be relaxed in respect of Vietnamese in camps in countries of temporary asylum.

6. HMG accept this recommendation.

7. The current family reunion criteria were introduced in July 1981. This brought Vietnamese refugees into line with all other refugees. Normally, agreement is given to the entry of the spouse and minor children of the refugee but not of other relatives. Exceptions are made but usually only in the most compelling compassionate circumstances.

8. As the Committee recorded, a proposal by the British Refugee Council that the criteria be relaxed in respect of 584 refugees in Hong Kong with relatives in Britain was rejected in 1984. But, at the same time, the admission from Hong Kong of a small number of unaccompanied minor children was agreed. However, in the light of the Committee's report, HMG accept that it would now be right to accept for settlement all of the identified cases still in Hong Kong, and the small number (about 60) in other camps in South East Asia, provided that those concerned wish to come here and their relatives are prepared to sponsor them. It is estimated that there are about 420 in Hong Kong who would be likely to qualify on this basis. Processing of the cases will start immediately. In accordance with the Committee's recommendation, this relaxation of the normal family reunion criteria will not apply to relatives in Vietnam or to future arrivals in Hong Kong or other countries of temporary asylum.

CLOSED CAMPS

Recommendation 2

(i) Closed Camps should be abolished and their inmates transferred to open

camps.

(ii) If the Closed Camps are not abolished, the FCO should put on record immediately the circumstances in which it would withdraw its sanction from the closed camp policy.

9. HMG have considered these recommendations carefully in close consul- tation with the Hong Kong Government. As Mr Luce made clear in his evidence to the Sub-Committee, neither HMG nor the Hong Kong Government regard it as satisfactory or desirable that refugees should be confined to closed camps. The present situation is far from ideal, and HMG fully understand why it causes concern to the Sub-Committee. HMG share that concern. However, for the practical reasons explained below, in present circumstances HMG see no alternative to continuing the policy.

Reason for Introduction of Policy

10. The report correctly states that "The closed camps were introduced in July 1982 as a policy of 'humane deterrence' to discourage other Vietnamese from coming to Hong Kong" (Para 20). The Hong Kong Government and HMG

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