TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 258

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Mr Chairman, despite the efforts of the International community, Hong Kong still has the largest Vietnamese refugee population in the region awaiting resettlement; it has the largest number of long stayers; and it has the longest stayers. There are no signs that the level of arrivals will reduce markedly or that the refugee population in Hong Kong will reduce. Therefore, Mr Chairman, resettlement is not enough. Although Hong Kong, like other places of first asylum in the region, continues to rely on international burden sharing, we believe that other durable solutions must be explored. This must involve

the international community and the UNHCR.

Hong Kong is happy to continue to grant asylum to those leaving Vietnam in small boats. But we are finding that those whom we willingly accept as refugees are later determined by some resettlement countries not to be refugees. This contradiction must be resolved since it must otherwise strain the generous concept of first asylum and harm the credibility of resettlement countries.

When he visited Hong Kong recently the High Commissioner expressed concern about the detrimental effects of the prolonged length of time that refugees there were forced to await resettlement. The Hong Kong Government shares the High Commissioner's concern and, whereas it is attempting to ameliorate the situation in the short term by providing more social and educational programmes for refugees, it remains essential to find a long term solution to the problem.

In 1979, Mr Chairman, the international community responded in a humane and compassionate manner to the problem of the Vietnamese Boat people. But the solutions proposed then, and to which we are still working, need to be re-examined in 1986. As the High Commissioner said in his opening remarks during the General Debate, we must respond to contemporary circumstances. In our view it will be vital for the High Commissioner to play a part in this

search for real and lasting solutions.

Thank you.