TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 42

SJAAGE

CONFIDENTIAL

HKK 243/12

UNHCR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EXCOM) MEETING:

GENEVA, 6-13 OCTOBER

UNHCR NOTE (ES/SCP/44 OF 19 AUGUST) ON THE DETENTION OF REFUGEES AND

ASYLUM-SEEKERS

Briet 2 (g) (ii) Detention: HONG KONG ASPECTS

Points to Make

(Defensive)

1.

Convention.)

(If asked whether Hong Kong complies with the 1951

1951 Convention was not extended to Hong Kong because

size and geographical vulnerability to mass

of territory's small

illegal immigration.

2.

(If asked whether Hong Kong's closed camps policy is criticised implicitly in the Note.) Confident Hong Kong is not a target. Hong Kong runs its camps as humanely as possible in the light of the severe burdens the territory has borne in refugee and

immigration terms.

3.

(If asked about UNHCR's general

general attitude to Hong Kong's closed camps.) In mid-1985 Mr Hartling, the last United Nations High

Commissioner for Refugees, said in Hong

said in Hong Kong that he did not like

idea of closed camps, but that inside the closed camp which

which he

visited (Bowring) he "found the circumstances,

the conditions, very encouraging". His conclusion was that the Hong Kong authorities and the voluntary agencies were doing a very good job, for which he was

very grateful.

4.

to

(If asked about conditions in closed camps.) Must emphasise

that HMG and the Hong Kong Government attach great importance ensuring that refugees

that refugees are adequately cared for within the camps.

Conditions in the closed camps are at least as good as other refugee camps (open and closed) in the region.

those

in

CONFIDENTIAL