TNAG-1794-FCO40-2554-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 44

THE BRITISH REFUGEE COUNCIL

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(seen already)

15 JUNE 1988

BRC CALLS FOR SAFEGUARDS FOR VIETNAMESE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG

The 'screening procedure for Vietnamese refugees arriving in

Hong Kong, announced today, must be accompanied by a package of

safeguards for the refugees, says the British Refugee Council

(BRC).

The new 'screening procedure' will distinguish between those who

meet the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) definition,

and other migrants. BRC insists this procedure must meet

standards set by UNHCR and that all those whose applications for

asylum are refused must be guaranteed a full right of appeal

and, if they are still rejected, safe passage back to their

homes and employment in Vietnam.

For the Vietnamese refugees now in the "closed" camps in Hong

Kong, and those who are found to be refugees according to the

screening procedure, BRC supports UNHCR's call for them to be

moved to open camps where they should be treated according to

internationally recognised standards.

BRC Director Martin Barber says, "If Vietnamese are to be

returned to Vietnam in accordance with arrangements monitored by

UNHCR, then the British government should contribute funds to

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