TNAG-1840-FCO40-2615-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 31

has been arranged by UNHCR to assist boat people to prepare appeals against decisions to refuse them refugee status. In 1988 the

British Government made a contribution of £1 million towards the

UNHCR's programme for Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong. Α

further contribution of £1 million was announced in January 1989.

49. Two rounds of talks have been held between representatives from

the United Kingdom and Hong Kong Governments and the Government of

the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During the second round of

talks, held in London in October 1988, the two sides agreed on the

need for comprehensive arrangements for all boat people arriving in

Hong Kong after 16 June 1988. The two sides agreed to make an

immediate start on arrangements for the return of those who had

already asked to be repatriated. Assurances have been obtained from

the Vietnamese authorities that all returnees will be treated

humanely and that no one will be punished. It was also agreed that

the UNHCR should monitor the treatment of returnees and their

reintegration into Vietnam. In December, the UNHCR and the

Vietnamese authorities concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on

the principles and procedures for voluntary repatriation to Vietnam. The UNHCR is taking charge of practical arrangements for the return of those who have expressed a wish to return to Vietnam. The first group of about 80 is due to go back on 2 March. The UNHCR will provide modest financial assistance to help those repatriated to resume their lives in Vietnam. HMG have contributed US$125,000 and the Hong Kong Government have contributed HK$1m towards this

programme.

50. In December 1988, the Government announced that they were prepared in principle to accept for resettlement an additional 1,000 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong over the next 2-3 years, provided that other Governments were prepared to contribute commensurately. These 1,000 refugees would include relatives of Vietnamese already here and others with the potential quickly to become self-sufficient in the United Kingdom, together with some who had been in the refugee centres for a long time and had not yet been accepted elsewhere. The Government have conducted an intensive diplomatic campaign to urge other resettlement countries to respond to this initiative. The response to our call has been very good and amounts