TNAG-1794-FCO40-2554-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 277

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HCR - UNHCR

Haut Commissariat des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés à Genève

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at Geneva

Press Release REF/1607 15 June 1988

HONG KONG: VIETNAMESE boat peoplE

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On 9 June, the Government of the United Kingdom informed the High Commissioner of the intention of the British and Hong Kong authorities to establish a mechanism for refugee status determination for Vietnamese boat people arriving in Hong Kong. The number of such arrivals has recently increased and the population of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong now exceeds 16,000.

While UNHCR, in principle, supports the establishment of refugee status determination procedures, it has expressed to the British authorities its concern over the timing of this decision. UNHCR is presently involved in sensitive discussions with all parties directly concerned, including with the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with a view, inter alia, to facilitating a sound programme of eligibility determination which would include the possibility of the return of non-refugee cases to the country of origin under acceptable conditions. Over the last two years, UNHCR has indeed been in intensivé contact and consultations with governments with a view to addressing the emerging concerns over the continuation of the flow of Vietnamese boat people. Recently, UNHCR completed an important round of talks in Geneva with a delegation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the expansion of the Orderly Departure Programme and conditions under which the non-refugee cases might be re-admitted to Vietnam.

Given the prevailing asylum situation in the region, UNHCR, while understanding the increasing difficulties in Hong Kong as a result of arrivals of boat people, remains concerned that unilateral decisions by parties involved could seriously compromise the collective efforts to reach a co-ordinated solution.

In connection with the implementation of the announced measures UNHCR, welcoming the British and Hong Kong governments' intention to liberalise camp conditions for refugees, has urged these authorities to take immediate stepą, to this offect. This should mean that those who have been determined to be refugees by the Hong Kong authorities since July 1982 will be accommodated in "open camps" where they will be able to enjoy internationally recognized standards of treatment. Furthermore, UNHCR has taken note of the assurances given by the British authorities that those who would not be granted refugee status under the new procedure would be assured humane treatment until such time as an appropriate solution could be put into effect.

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UNHCR is prepared to offer legal and technical advice while remaining in close contact with the British authorities with respect to modalities of implementation, criteria and the general treatment of asylum seekers from Vietnam,

The High Commissioner has communicated his views to the Government of the United Kingdom and looks forward to receiving a response.

Les communiqués sont destindo à l'information; ils ne constituent pas des documents officials

For use of information medía; not an official record

Palais des Nations (3-1211 Geneve 10

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28 144 REFPE CH 27 492 UNHCR CH TICONRFF. Genève

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022-31 02 28 144 REF 27 492 UNHCR- HICOMREF, Gen