TNAG-1541-FCO40-2105-Further-resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-i-1986 — Page 2

The following options are open for consideration

5

(a)

detain all Vietnamese refugees, both those already here in open camps and new arrivals;

(b)

detain those who have not yet been technically landed, and new arrivals;

(c)

detain all new arrivals as from a current date. as well as trouble-makers from open camps.

:

6 Q

Option (a) would have the strongest deterrent effect. However, it would be impractical to implement. It would attract strong objections from the UNHCR and probably some criticism from both overseas and local voluntary agencies. But, more important, it would pose serious practical problems. Staff would have to be assembled; physical security would have to be greatly increased; and there would be great problems to be overcome in incarcerating refugees, accustomed to the freedom of open camps, in closed camps.

7

Option (b) is a possibility.

Processing takes about

6 weeks and so at any time there are about 1,200 refugees here. who could be put in closed camps if the closed camp policy goes ahead. To adopt this course would be a clear indication of how seriously the Government views the situation. Against this it would use up rather scarce closed camp facilities, and it might also prove rather difficult to implement if refugees who are here prove unco-operative in accepting removal to a closed camp.

8.

Option (c) would deter possible newcomers and provide a sanction against likely trouble-makers in open camps. The latter would, however, require the provision of the necessary legal powers to remove refugees from one type of camp to another, after the case had been the subject of appropriate processing.

9

If

The choice lies between option (c) and option (b). option (c) was adopted, it would be necessary to determine the date on which to bring the new arrangements into force. It is.. proposed that this should be for all new arrivals after the enactment of the amending legislation. If option (b) was adopted, then an effective date would have to be selected. Administratively, the most appropriate, arrangement would be that those who had not actually been landed on the date the amending legislation was enacted were transferred to closed camps. The choice between these two options is a fine one but, in view of all the uncertainties surrounding the refugee situation generally, it would seem prudent to go for option (c).

J

1.ན

་་

་་་་