TNAG-1530-FCO40-2094-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 61

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, 26-30 OCTOBER

South East Asia

Essential Facts

under UNHCR mandate.

SMAL

1251000

1. Over 155,000 Indo-Chinese refugees in camps in South East Asia

Largest number in Thailand (almost 130,000 including 90,000 Lao. Further 240,000 Cambodian displaced persons on Thai/Cambodian border under mandate of UN Border Relief Operation

(UNBRO). UK provides humanitarian support for refugees in Thailand.

Also small programme of humanitarian aid to non-communist Cambodians

(£100,000 in 1986/87).

2.

ASEAN countries, in particular Thailand, increasingly frustrated

at lack of movement towards relieving refugee burden. Pressing for

more resettlement. No prospect of Thailand and other countries of

first asylum accepting more refugees for local integration.

Voluntary repatration not practicable option for Vietnamese,

Cambodians or many Lao in present circumstances. In 1985, UNHCR and Thai Government introduced policy of "screening" those fleeing from

Laos. Those "screened out" as economic migrants still waiting for

Lao Government to fulfill commitment to take them back.

3.

Outside Thailand, Hong Kong has largest case load in region

(currently some 8,500 Vietnamese boat people; high proportion of

long stayers). Resettlement slowing, partly as result of a belief

in main resettlement countries that many may now be fleeing for

economic motives rather than in fear of persecution. In response to

report by Sub Committee on Race Relations and Immigration (SCORRI)

of Home Affairs Committee in 1985, criteria were relaxed to allow

resettlement of some 500 do-Chinese from Hong kong.

This stage almost completed. Now looking at further SCORRI commitment to take some 60 Indo-Chinese from camps elsewhere in South East Asia.

어

4.

In search for more effective solutions, we are in consultation

-

initially on informal basis with main resettlement countries who

share our concerns. Aim to see what scope

if any

exists for

multilateral approach to Vietnam to help remedy situation.

CONFIDENTIAL