THE CLOSED CAMP POLICY
The government introduced the closed camp policy in July 1982 as a 'humane deterrent.' The policy had two stated
aims - deterring refugees from coming to Hong Kong and maintaining good order among refugees already here. A third unstated aim was to recognise public concern about the different treatments for refugees from Vietnam and illegal immigrants from China.
The policy was introduced after serious disturbances at Kaitak camp.
It allowed for trouble-makers to be transferred to closed camps. We understand that this has happened to only three men, two of whom have now returned to open camps.
The policy has certainly been successful in damping down public concern. Half of the refugees now live in extremely remote places, inaccessible to the general public out of sight, out of mind. For most Hong Kong citizens, the refugees are now a matter of no concern.
But has the closed camp policy been successful in its main aim of deterring refugees from coming to Hong Kong?
The government insists that it has. Mr Woodhouse told us: "We do not like closed centres. We would like to abolish them, but they have achieved their purpose. It would be foolish of us to abolish them, because there would be a flood of new people coming in of that we are firmly convinced."
This is a view that many people share, but we have not seen evidence to justify it.
It is true that since the closed camp policy was introduced the number of refugees arriving in Hong Kong has fallen - from 7,836 in 1982 to 1,112 in 1985. But the number of refugees being resettled from Hong Kong has also fallen - from 9,247 in 1982 to 3,953 in 1985.
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