RESTRICTED
12.
Why will the new closed centres be run by the Correctional Services Department?
The Hong Kong Government consider the Correctional Services Department to be the only service in Hong Kong suited to perform the difficult task of running these centres. They run a variety of institutions other than prisons, for example treatment centres for drug addicts.
Many Correctional Services Department staff have social welfare qualifications. They are well equipped to deal with the full range of potential problems in these centres.
13.
Will non-refugees have access to resettlement?
The Hong Kong Government do not intend that non-refugees should have access to resettlement. Their intention, which we understand is to maximise the deterrent effect for non-refugees of the new policy while meeting our obligations to genuine refugees.
14.
The closed centre policy was not successful?
The closed centre policy was introduced in 1982 at a time when the level of new arrivals was rapidly becoming intolerable. We believe that, over the years, the closed centres have had a deterrent effect by discouraging Vietnamese from setting out on the dangerous voyage to Hong Kong.
The recent influx was caused by a number of factors, including tougher policies by other countries in the region, rumours of a change of policy in Hong Kong, and difficult economic conditions in Vietnam. Without the deterrent effect of closed camps, the influx might have been even greater.
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