TNAG-1527-FCO40-2091-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 59

RASRO: PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE

ANNEX 7

RASRO is designed to facilitate the disembarkation and early subsequent resettlement of Indochinese refugees rescued at sea by ships of participating countries. Operational procedures are based on the principle of minimum disruption of existing routine and minimum additional administrative infrastructure. It will utilize to the maximum, experience gained over the past ten years. The scheme involves three major steps: disembarkation; selection; resettlement.

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A. DISEMBARKATION

Disembarkation of refugees rescued at sea by ships of RASRO member countries takes place at the next scheduled port of call. In principle, the disembarkation guarantee, as required by individual coastal states, remains

This does not preclude, however, the the responsibility of the flag state. possibility of two or more countries providing the disembarkation guarantee, should they so decide, on a co-operative basis for any single ship. written guarantee is provided, refugees will be disembarked into the care of UNHCR, which assumes responsibility for their welfare until departure to their country of resettlement.

B.

SELECTION

Once the

The co-ordination of the selection and resettlement of refugees, within the total available RASRO pool, is the responsibility of UNHCR and will be

The collection of bio-data. administered by the Branch Office in Singapore.

and the selection of individual refugees will follow existing procedures in each country of disembarkation. Where practicable, this may involve a meeting of RASRO member representatives with UNHCR.

Family reunification will be the main determinant of selection.

Cases without Additional links to member countries will also be considered. links to any RASRO participant will be presented to individual countries' representatives on a proportional basis throughout the year.

It will be the responsibility of UNHCR Branch Office, Singapore, to review monthly arrivals and selections under RASRO, in order to assure, given the unpredictable nature of rescue at sea, that the selection process follows as closely as possible the relative proportion of country quotas. Monthly reports on disembarkation, selection and resettlement will be provided to all participants by UNHCR.

C.

RESETTLEMENT

Movement from the country of disembarkation will take place within the

This movement will be period of time required by individual coastal states. either directly to the country of resettlement or, when required, to a Refugee Processing Centre (RPC). Where interim movement to an RPC takes place, responsibility for providing a resettlement guarantee to the RPC host country will lie with the country of resettlement, as determined through the selection process. Such movements, when necessary, will be coordinated by UNHCR.

12 February 1985