TNAG-1800-FCO40-2560-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-principle-of-first-asylum-1988 — Page 247

One representative considered that the conclusions of the Sub-Committee on

this question dealt with a number of very complex issues which should appropriately be the subject of continuing examination with a view to finding solutions to the problems which currently arise in large-scale influxes. :

13.

Several speakers referred to the discussions of the Sub-Committee

of the Whole on International Protection on the question of rescue of

asylum-seekers in distress at sea. One delegate believed that the present arrangement whereby resettlement guarentees were required by coastal States against disembarkation by asylum-seekers rescued at sea gave rise to certain

inequities. She referred in this connection to the proposals which her

delegation had submitted to the Sub-Committee with a view to achieving a more equitable sharing of responsibilities and a more orderly arrival of refugees in the maritime countries concerned. Another speaker however

expressed the view that present arrangements already reflected the principle

of burden-sharing between maritime and coastal States and should therefore

be maintained.

2 Another speaker also expressed the view that present arrangements involved an undue burden for smaller maritime states

14. It was generally agreed that a number of important practical questions

needed to be addressed in this field and there was general support for the

recommendation of the Sub-Committee that the High Commissioner be requested

to convene a Working Group for this purpose at an early opportunity. This was interpreted by one speaker to mean that UNHCR would initiate consultations for convening the Working Group soon after the end of the present session of

the Executive Committee.

15. Several representatives welcomed the initiative of UNHCR in placing the question of family reunification on the agenda of the Sub-Committee.

It

was recognized that in view of their special situation, members of a refugee's family deserved more generous treatment by the country of asylum than in cases of ordinary immigration. Several speakers indicated that their authorities followed liberal practices in admitting the family members of refugees and one speaker stated that such practices were specifically authorized by his country's recently adopted legislation on asylum. Several speakers considered that the Committee's conclusions should not be too specific, thus enabling States to develop their own liberal criteria regarding the admission

of refugee family members.

Greek

amendment