TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 367

CONFIDENTIAL

Lord Chitnis asked an Unstarred

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

UNHCR Attitude

3.

them.

UNHCR has been opposed to Hong Kong's closed camps since their inception, but has 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

camps in the region (where refugees are not nearly so well cared

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

(as do representatives of all actual and potential resettlement

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.

4. Many of the conclusions in the Note are based on provisions of

the 1951 Convention relating to the

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