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in hg Kong has deteriorated rapidly.
There are now
over 16,000 Vietnamese boat people in camps in Hong Kong
compared with about 8,000 a year ago. Most of those
arriving are ethnic Vietnamese, about 70% come from North
Vietnam. Most are farmers or fishermen. They cannot be
described as political refugees as defined by UNHCR, and
their prospects for resettlement in the West are
virtually non-existent.
It was against this background that the Hong Kong
Government introduced a new policy on 16 June, involving
a system of screening on arrival based on internally
recognised criteria top distinguish genuine refugees
from those who have left Vietnam simply in search of a
better life. Those few who can show that they are
genuine refugees will be accommodated in Hong Kong to
await resettlement. The rest will be detained as
illegal immigrants pending their return to Vietnam as
soon as acceptable conditions for this are established.
The introduction of this new policy will enable the
Hong Kong Government to liberalise conditions in the
existing closed centres accommodating refugees awaiting
resettlement. This is a step foward which I am sure your
constituent would welcome. In the meantime we are
continuing our resettlement efforts and are intensifying
our search for a durable solution to this tragic problem.
I am returning your consistuent's letter. A copy has
been retained for our files.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.