TNAG-1786-FCO40-2546-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-closed-camp-policy-1988 — Page 3

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The case for the liberalisation of the closed centres as set out in memorandum XCS(88)10 was in part based on the need to carry the UNHCR and international opinion with us on the new screening policy. The UNHCR have continued to press for early liberalisation and have focused their attention on the conditions in the San Yick industrial building. In recent discussions a broad measure of agreement has been reached on UNHCR participation in the screening and appeals procedures and also on the timetable for the liberalisation of the closed centres. The draft text at Annex A is intended to be the basis for an understanding between the Hong Kong Government and the UNHCR. It covers a broad statement of intent on behalf of the Hong Kong Government to make an immediate start on liberalisation and

on behalf of

of the participate in the screening and appeals procedures. of other subsidiary issues are also covered, for access to the detention centres for UNHCR officials

of discharging purpose

their protection and assistance functions, access for the residents of the camps and detention centres to legal advisers, the role of voluntary agencies in the detention centres and the provision of medical services in closed centres.

statement a

UNHCR to A number example, for the

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The assurances

significant difficulties.

requested by the UNHCR present no Indeed, most are simply statements

of established Hong Kong Government policy. The UNHCR's desire to see early progress on the liberalisation of the closed camps accords with our own desire to bring about improvements to closed camp conditions. We believe that the full implementation of Our policy of screening and repatriating the illegal immigrants among the post 16 June arrivals will counter any tendency for liberalisation of the closed centres to become a pull factor. The early transfer to the UNHCR of responsibility for managing the fully liberalised closed centres will relieve the Hong Kong Government of a very considerable financial burden.

•

LIBERALISATION PROGRAMME

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is recommended

that

It

the programme liberalisation be based on the following major elements:-

(a)

difficult to

provide in the

camps. Members

Schooling. It is satisfactory schooling arrangements overcrowded conditions in the closed In recognition of this difficulty, agreed on 23 August to a proposal to the children at San Yick and Sham Shui Po to leave the camps each day to attend schools operated for refugees under the auspices of

allow

CONFIDENTIAL