STATUS OF REFUGEES AFTER 1997?
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- Our firm intention that Vietnamese refugee problem in Hong Kong
should be resolved well before 1997.
- Joint Declaration on future of Hong Kong provides for continuation after 30 June 1997 of Hong Kong's present social and legal systems. Any refugees then in Hong Kong should thus retain their current
status.
THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME
OPD is administrative arrangement to enable people who meet UK's standard family reunion criteria under our immigration rules, and
who are therefore entitled to enter the UK, to leave Vietnam.
Programme was put in place in 1979 as legitimate channel for departures from Vietnam for those eligible, and thereby reduce
pressure for illegal departures.
Rate of departure under the programme controlled by Vietnamese
authorities.
Many of those eligible have already waited for years to be permitted to leave. No question of ODP being at the expense of resettlement of refugees from Hong Kong.
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