TNAG-1786-FCO40-2546-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-closed-camp-policy-1988 — Page 33

m

8.

Extracts from the Report

Security

....

"Sixteen to seventeen year-old

boys have grown up over the last five years in an abnormal enclosed environment where traditional Vietnamese values and normal social values have ceased to exist The view that confinement causes dangerous psychological pressure which may find its release in violence is shared by social workers and refugees".

CSD's Caments

The writer speculates that the Closed Camp policy will definitely cause an adverse impact on the psychological state of refugees, and this psychological pressure will find its release in violence.

Dr. Andry, AC (Psychological Services and Programme Development) has conducted a survey into the alleged emotional and psychological problems among VRS and refutes Ms. Hanbury's speculations in their entirety. Dr. Andry expressed :

(a) there is minimal

"psychological stress" among a minority of refugees;

(b) the majority of refugees rejected by potential resettlement countries seem to bear their lot with stoicism;

(c) most emotional stress is

caused mainly by domestic problems, and not primarily by over-crowding;

(d) refugee children, including unaccompanied minors appear to have shown no gross signs of emotional disturbance, but displayed much resilience and fortitude.

9. CSD "does not appear to deal

with the security problem within the camps, and the gangs have free reign..... Security provided at no small cost by the camp management extends so further than the perimeter of the fence itself".

Prominent bad elements are identified and under close surveillance by the authority. Refugees who break the law inside the Closed Centres will be appropriately dealt with under the Closed centre rules or referred to Police for action. However, on many occasions, investigative action proves futile as refugees are reluctant to came forward to give evidence even when they had witnessed the occurrence of a crime. On the other hand, same refugees gave false or inaccurate information based on emotion or gossip.