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ach passing day. The international community has a responsibility to address
the needs and wishes of these refugees; they ought not be allowed to languish
in camps, seeing their lives pass meaninglessly and watching their children
grow to face a future empty of promise.
The government of Hong Kong faces a host of complex decisions as it
prepares for its post-1997 change in political status. Among the tests of the
humanity of a nation, perhaps the best is how it treats the disenfranchised,
the voiceless. Hong Kong must be encouraged to remember the human rights of
the refugees in its midst and to take care that their rights to continued
protection be respected until a permanent solution can be found for them.
After many months of no movement on this issue, recently some favorable
developments have taken place. The U.K. government has agreed to take 500
more and the Hong Kong government has agreed to absorb 250 more, mostly ethnic
Chinese. The United States has determined to take as many as last
year--1,600--rather than a smaller number, as had been anticipated.
Australia
?
has taken action--restoring the number it will take to 800 after cutting it
down to 600. Sweden has agreed to take 100, Canada is taking 50 more,
Luxembourg and New Zealand are taking 10 each. These positive moves need to
8 continue with other countries taking part.
International pressure needs to be brought to bear on Vietnam to compel
if
its government to change the policies which cause refugee flight. As the
country generating boat refugees, Vietnam has key role in alleviating this
problem. No matter what other countries do to solve the refugee dilemma,
Vietnam does not cooperate, refugees will continue to flee and the resolution
of their situation will remain elusive.
The U.S. government should agree to begin resettlement of those in the P-6
Because there are a sizable number in this category--more than 30
category.
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