TNAG-1842-FCO40-2617-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 93

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

4. Repatriation

WHEN WILL REPATRIATION BEGIN?

-

Agreed with Vietnam to start with those who have asked to go back. They are all interviewed by UNHCR before their details are passed to

Vietnam.

About 300 outstanding applications to return to Vietnam.

First

batch of about 75 returned on 2 March. Reports suggest that their return has gone smoothly so far.

WILL THERE BE FORCIBLE REPATRIATION?

We hope that success of the UNHCR voluntary repatriation programme will encourage others to volunteer to go back.

But

Not talking about compulsory repatriation at this stage. believe that in due course all except genuine refugees must go back, once satisfactory arrangements for this have been made in consultation with the Vietnamese authorities.

REPATRIATION POLICY IS INHUMANE

Those screened out as non refugees have no prospect of resettlement. Cannot stay indefinitely in detention centres in Hong

Kong.

*

Their future lies in Vietnam.

acceptable arrangements for this.

Must be right to work for

VIETNAM WILL NOT TAKE BACK NON VOLUNTEERS

Vietnamese have agreed that comprehensive settlement i needed to cover all non refugees.

Repatriation an internationally accepted procedure

**

with illegal immigration. Countries of origin have obligation accept back citizens refused entry to other countries or

territories.

ARPAOW(5)

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