TNAG-1528-FCO40-2092-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 22

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alleviation of the problems that plague the open camps. These problems

reflect the urgency of the situation, which, in the view of some refugee

officials, would be best relieved by increased resettlement opportunities.

There are three main closed camps: Chi Ma Wan, Hei Ling Chau, and

Bowring.

(See map)

Vietnamese from southern and central Vietnam are located

in Chi Ma Wan, and those from the north are in Hei Ling Chau. Earlier, Hei

Ling Chau had a mix of refugees from the north and south, but this led in 1983

to an outbreak of rioting between the two groups in the camp and resulted in

their being separated into the two camps.

With their high barbed wire fences to prevent escape, the closed camps

resemble prisons. Other conditions in the camp are prison-like, too;

residents are allowed only minimal freedom. At the outset, personal

belongings are taken from them, personal cleanliness is supervised, and at

times results in cutting of hair to prevent lice. Women in particular find

this treatment deeply insulting, but camp authorities argue it is necessary

for health reasons.

These procedures were followed when the camps first opened, but some have

been relaxed since, partly as a result of unfavorable publicity such as that

contained in a 1983 British TV documentary of Chi Ma Wan camp, commissioned by

UNHCR. The authorities are also now considering taking down the barbed wire

at some camps.

Sleeping quarters are cramped, with very little space--a compartment with

6X4 floor space--allotted to a family. These compartments, made from

industrial shelving, are arranged in two-tiered rows with a corridor between

them. Such conditions allow for virtually no privacy and little security for

personal possessions.