TNAG-1528-FCO40-2092-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 64

Dear High Commissioner

DRAFT

belletter

Since 1979 the Asia Committee of the British Refugee Council (up to 1981 the Standing Conference on Refugees) has been studying the situation on the Thai-Kampuchean border with increasing disquiet.

The Committee understands that there can be no complete solution to the plight of the 250,000 Cambodians living on the border without a political solution to the conflict in Cambodia itself. Nevertheless, we feel that fundamental humanitarian principles in the treatment of these people have been overlooked for too long and that they must now be reasserted.

We are fully aware that your Office has had no role on the border since the present situation first developed. We are writing to you now because we feel that UNHCR is now the only organisation in a position to insist on the upholding of internationally accepted humanitarian principles in the treatment of these people.

There is no doubt that among the civilian population of the border sites there are individuals and families who should be "of concern to the High Commissioner". It seems certain that there are some who would qualify for refugee status under the mandate. Some have compelling reasons to seek resettlement in third countries. Others undoubtedly wish to return

to their villages of origin in Cambodia.

This Committee believes that these people have a right to call on your Office to protect and assist them, and to express their hopes and intentions for the future. The first step towards providing this service would be for your staff to have regular access to sites and we very much hope that

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