TNAG-1789-FCO40-2549-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1989 — Page 242

orderly departure of Amerasians and former re-education camp cases have been

In sum, problems which in the subject of negotiations with the United States. 1986-87 slowed down the departure rates are mainly resolved and departures are being restored to levels of earlier years (in fact, it is expected to exceed

The UNHCR-sponsored consultative even those levels in the near future).

meetings on the ODP between the SRV and the ODP receiving countries are now being held on a semi-annual basis with the next meeting scheduled for December

of this year.

IV. Repatriation

15. Accepted international practice requires that the return of a refugee to his/her country of origin can occur only when such return is voluntary or, alternatively, if circumstances in which a person became a refugee cease to exist. Confirmation of the voluntary nature of any return by a refugee to his/her country of origin is a prerequisite for the involvement of UNHCR in

any such process.

16.

There are circumstances, on the other hand, where the return of an individual asylum-seeker may take place following a determination (in accordance with internationally accepted standards) that the person does not

This determination is normally undertaken.by qualify for refugee status.

In principle, arrangements for the asylum states in consultation with UNHCR. return of such rejected cases fall within the purview of bilateral arrangements between the country of origin and the country of asylum « the "repatriation" heading, therefore, two aspects of the subject

exist and have to be central to long term resolution of problems at hand treated separately.

17.

a) Voluntary repatriation

-

4

Under

both

In South-East

Voluntary repatriation could be spontaneous or organized. Asia, a formalized programme of voluntary repatriation to Laos has existed since 1980. Under this programme, well over three thousand Laotian refugees have returned to Laos while a much higher number, estimated at between ten to fifteen thousand, are assumed to have returned spontaneously.