TNAG-1786-FCO40-2546-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-closed-camp-policy-1988 — Page 24

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Background

The Hong Kong Government envisage a 6-12 month process for liberalising conditions for refugees accommodated in closed

centres

(a) so as not to dilute the deterrent effect of the new policy by laying it open to misinterpretation as an amnesty;

(b) because the physical conditions and location of the temporary closed centres do not permit them to be opened up in situ;

and

(c) because many of the refugees will need time and help to adjust to a less institutionalised environment.

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