TNAG-1532-FCO40-2096-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-closed-camp-policy-1986 — Page 13

CONFIDENTIAL

Lord

Chitnis asked an

a

Unstarred Question (ie initiating

mini-debate) in the Lords in May. Wherever possible recommendations for improvements of conditions have been implemented by the HKG.

UNHCR Attitude

3.

UNHCR has been

inception, but has

them.

opposed to Hong Kong's closed camps since their generally been discreet in public comments on

When he visited Hong Kong last year the then High Commissioner (Mr Hartling) compared the situation of the children at the Bowring Camp favourably with that of children in other closed

in the region (where refugees are

SO not nearly camps

well cared

for). UNHCR have full access to those living in the closed camps

(as do

of representatives

all actual and potential

countries), and UNHCR also help to fund the camps' running costs. The Note of 19 August does not name Hong Kong (or any other place of first asylum), and many of its observations are not apparently

directed at Hong Kong.

resettlement

4. Many of the conclusions in the Note are based on provisions of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Although HMG has ratified this Convention, it has never been extended to Hong Kong in view of the territory's continuing vulnerability to massive illegal immigration into Hong Kong from China.

CONFIDENTIAL