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GREECE
About 4000 refugees are in Greece and last year 800 asylum-seekers arrived from Eastern European countries. The Representative stressed that with the steady increase in the number of refugees arriving, problems such as housing shortages are arising. This results in the problem of refugees having to be lodged in hotels, which creates an unacceptable social and financial situation.
JAPAN
Japan has always supported resettlement programmes. For the Japanese Government resettlement is an important durable solution. In July 1985 the Government decided to increase the target number for resettlement in Japan from 5,000 to 10,000 places. Many Indochinese refugees have already been accepted: 3,553 Vietnamese, 738 Kampucheans and 645 Laotians as of end 1985. Japan also joined the RASRO scheme last year and offered 100 places, out of which only 7 requests were received from UNHCR. 222 "boat people" landed in Japan, but most wanted to go to other countries. Longstaying refugees in camps are considered to be of highest priority. Of disabled refugees, 104 persons have been accepted. Japan would like some clarification on the definition of "emergency" status.
In reply to the speaker, Mr. Issaka clarified the definition of "emergency" cases as being refugees in life-threatening situations and whose physical safety depends on speedy acceptance by a resettlement country.
5.
Discussion on Agenda item V.
a)
Indochinese Refugees
The Representative of the Netherlands said that his country would take some refugees from the camps in Hong Kong but that it expected Hong Kong to reciprocate with more local settlement. In reply to the question raised by the Representative of the United Kingdom regarding UNHCR funding of a Transit Centre in Hong Kong, the meeting was informed that UNHCR is still discussing this subject but that this matter would not present a real problem. The Representative of Japan mentioned that Vietnamese refugees who are offered resettlement in Japan often refuse this opportunity. UNHCR reported that 179 Indochinese refugees in Hong Kong camps have been accepted for resettlement in Japan.
The Representative of Switzerland asked what UNHCR was doing to stimulate other governments, including countries in the area, to accept refugees for resettlement. In reply it was said that some countries in the region have generously accepted refugees and continue to offer resettlement in the context of family reunion. example, China has accepted 270,000 Vietnamese refugees.
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