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PTAAEX
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: INSPIRED PQ
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
what plans he has to cope with the recent influx of Vietnamese boat
people into Hong Kong.
Answer
The number of Vietnamese boat people in camps in Hong Kong now
stands at 15,600 compared with less than 8,000 a year ago. The
Hong Kong Government have acted with commendable efficiency in
establishing emergency facilities to accommodate the recent influx.
But in view of the rapidly deteriorating situation, the Hong Kong
Government with the approval of Her Majesty's Government has decided
that Hong Kong can no longer treat all arrrivals by boat from Vietnam as though they were refugees.
From 16 June all boat people from Vietnam will be screened on
arrival, on the basis of standard UNHCR criteria. Those who are
found to be genuine refugees will be accommodated in Hong Kong to
await resettlement. Those who do not meet the necessary criteria will be detained as illegal immigrants. The Government will press for arrangements with the Vietnamese authorities to enable people in
this category to be sent back to Vietnam, under suitable guarantees
about the treatment they will receive on their return.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.