TNAG-1802-FCO40-2562-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 107

BULL POINTS : BOAT PEOPLE

The Background

-

Problem of Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong a difficult enough one since first of 130,000 arrived in 1975.

But from mid-1987 problem got dramatically worse:

- Boat people population in Hong Kong rose from 8,000 to

25,000 between mid-1987 and mid-1988.

-

in first half of 1988, 9,000 arrived.

Three times

more than in whole of 1987. Four times more than 1986, eight

times more than 1985.

Vast majority of new arrivals were not what international

community regards as genuine refugees. Motives economic.

- So need for resettlement has become greater, while

prospects for resettlement have become virtally non-existent.

-

This situation can only get worse:

for the refugees facing a dismal future in Hong Kong's camps;

- and for small, overcrowded Hong Kong an "intolerable burden".

Saw the situation for myself in May.

The Policy

Policy of 16 June contains two key safeguards:

-

screening process, monitored by UNHCR, ensures all genuine

refugees (fleeing political/religious persecution) will still

find sanctuary in Hong Kong until resettlement;

- arrangements for repatriation must have seal of approval of

UNHCR.