TNAG-1532-FCO40-2096-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-closed-camp-policy-1986 — Page 12

HKLAQF

CONFIDENTIAL

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27(1)

UNHCR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EXCOM) MEETING : GENEVA, 6-13 OCTOBER

UNHCR NOTE (ES/SCP/44 OF 19 AUGUST) ON THE DETENTION OF REFUGEES AND

ASYLUM-SEEKERS

HONG KONG ASPECTS

Closed Camp Policy

There

1. Since July 1982, in order to discourage further Vietnamese from leaving by boat for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Government have placed all newly arriving Vietnamese refugees in closed camps which they are not permitted to leave (eg to seek outside employment) during their stay in Hong Kong. This policy has been effective in reducing the level of arrivals, but the flow nevertheless continues. is very strong public support for the policy among Hong Kong people,

of many

whom consider it generous

the in comparison with

HKG's

policy to general

repatriate all

from illegal migrants

China,

irrespective of their links with the territory. Over half of the 8500 refugee population currently in Hong Kong are in closed camps (the main ones are at Chi Ma Wan, Hei Ling Chau and Bowring); the rest (ie. those who arrived before July 1982) are accommodated in 2 open camps run by the local office of the UNHCR in cooperation with local voluntary agencies. All the basic needs of those in the

closed

accommodation, medical

clothing, basic

education and recreation) are met by HKG with assistance from UNHCR and Hong Kong voluntary agencies.

2.

(food, camps

care,

camps

However conditions in the

have been criticised from time to time by some MPS, journalists and other interested groups, particularly the British ..efugee Council (BRC) who in 1984 produced a pamphlet "Behind Barbed Wire" critical of the camps, and by Refugee Action, whose Chairman

CONFIDENTIAL