TNAG-1525-FCO40-2089-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 38

HK2AKE

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG: RESETTLEMENT IN JAPAN

DRAFT SPEAKING NOTE

1.

Remain seriously concerned about Vietnamese refugee problem in Hong Kong. UK and Hong Kong are accepting more

refugees,

as

are

several

friends

and

allies.

Pressing

others to do more.

Hong Kong's problem is more acute than

2.

those of other

places

refugees

of first

asylum

in

from

other places

the region: more Vietnamese

and (nearly 9000)

a higher

proportion (over 60%) of refugees who have spent more than 3 years in the camps.

3.

Acknowledge the

contribution Japan has made by

resettling

over

that Japan

the

200 refugees from Hong Kong. recognises

humanitarian

aspects

Appreciate

of the

problem. But would ask Japan to consider making a special effort, as others (including UK) are doing to help resolve

this difficult regional problem.

4.

to

UK has relaxed its resettlement criteria in order implement its policy of facilitating family reunion in UK.

some of its If Japan could interpret

rules and practices more sympathetically more refugees would become eligible for

resettlement.

5.

to

Accept that Japan, like other countries resettling refugees, needs criteria against which to decide whom

to us very accept. But Japan's rules and practices appear to tight. We fear they may be interpreted in such a way that

virtually none

can qualify of Hong Kong's camp population

for resettlement under them.