TNAG-1800-FCO40-2560-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-principle-of-first-asylum-1988 — Page 296

· MAR 12 '88 11:48 TIBCOOU) HK GOVT

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IRA Indochina Resource Action Center

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THE PROBLEM

1118 Twenty Second Street, NW Suite 300 • Washington, DC. 20037 • (202) 223-8866

A SYMPOSIUM ON FIRST ASYLUM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The crisis of first asylum has been an escalating problem which now cries louder for a solution. The situation has reached this crisis point as a result of the continuing flow of refugees from the countries of Indochina, the Increasingly restrictive policies of resettlement countries, and the lack of viable alternatives to third country resettlement. This has placed a prolonged and ever-increasing burden on the countries of first asylum, In response, first asylum countries have taken drastic and life-threatening measures to stem the flow of new arrivals; refugees are screened-out and pushed back to the border, more camps are on the verge of closing, and threats of repatriation of long-stayers are being heard. Caught amidst this crisis are the refugees themselves. They are left to struggle against such conditions while facing an unknown fate. Protection must be given to the refugeas; meanwhile new Initiatives, creative ideas, and alternatives need to be found.

AN

APPROPRIATE APPROACH

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IRAC proposes a two and a half day symposium where knowledgeable and dedicated Southeast Aslan leaders from the United States and other resettlement countries can come together and make resolutions concerning this crisis. This is an opportunity for those who were once a part of the refugee problem to share in the responsibility of finding a solution to the first asylum crisis. In addition, foreign policy experts and representatives from selected national and International refugee-related agencies together with officials from countries of resettlement (or their embassies in Washington, D.C.) will also be invited to join the dialogue and express their viewpoints on this important issue.

The theme of the symposium is "The Crisis of First Asylum in Southeast Asla." Problems peculiar to each country of first asylum and its refugne population will be identified and addressed. Both short-term and long-term solutions will be explored to develop specific, viable recommendations and action plans for the resolution of the asylum crisis in Southeast Asla. For the convenience of govemment officials, congressional people, and representatives from foreign governments and international agencies, the symposium will be held in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area June 5-7, 1988.

IRAC is currently conducting a series of consultations with refugee community leaders on the overall design and content of the Symposium. Additional advice and input is being sought from key congressional staffers and cooperating agencies such as Amnesty International USA, Asla Watch, the Citizen's Commission Indochinese Refugees, the Indochina Policy Forum,the International Rescue Committee, the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, and the U.S. Committee for Refugees. For further information, please contact IRAC at the above address.

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