TNAG-1541-FCO40-2105-Further-resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-i-1986 — Page 4

In order to make for sound management, and to reduce the opportunities for militant refugees using families as protection when management attempts to control illegal activities (experience with ex-China cases shows this), it is desirable to introduce some degree of separation. However,

However, separation is a sensitive and emotive subject and must be treated with caution. Such a move is unlikely to be well received by the general public and news media here, and is certain to attract criticism from voluntary agencies and social workers both locally and abroad for humanitarian reasons. But more important, the UNHCR has firmly opposed any form of separation of refugee families on the ground that this is contrary to the principle of family unity. The UNHCR has said that it would not accept responsibility either for the resettlement or the care and maintenance of refugees detained in camps where families are being separated.

12

Since separation is proposed mainly for administrative convenience, it would not detract from the deterrent effects of closed camps if it was not pursued. The Commissioner of Correctional Services, however, advises that the cost of providing for and managing closed camps for families would be higher. Camp facilities would have to cater for family use and more staff would be required, as experience has shown that the potential for trouble is greater in camps where families are kept together.

13

On balance, and having particular regard to the need to maintain the UNHCR's commitment to refugees here however detained, it is proposed that there should be no separation of families in closed camps initially. However, this matter should be kept under review and raised with the UNHCR again in the light of experience.

Visits

14

Arrangements would be made for visits to camps by relatives and close friends of refugees, but they would be regulated and granted as a privilege rather than as a matter of course.

F, (FLe="" "i'མ,- ;

!

Size of Problem

15

On the basis of such information as there is from Vietnam, and the actual outflow in 1980, 1981 and the first five months of 1982, it would be wise to assume. that the possible inflow for 1982 would be roughly of the order of the mean of 43 that of 1980 and 1981. On this assumption, it is estimated that

some 4,000 to 5,000 may arrive between now and the end of the year. With the addition of some accommodation for trouble-makers and depending on which options in paragraph 5 is adopted, it would be advisable to plan for the establishment of closed camps to accommodate some 5,000 Vietnamese refugees by the end of the year and to plan for an inflow of a slightly reduced number in 1983.

רו לי אני חיי

IRIAELITIA