TNAG-1905-FCO40-2709-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 39

Have agreed on the following:

1.

- 2.

The SRV and UNHCR will continue to co-operate and will make their

best efforts to improve, expand and accelerate the Orderly Departure

Programme from Vietnam on the basis of the Memorandum of

Understanding of 29 May 1979. To this end, the two sides will

intensify their contacts through bilateral and multilateral channels

with other parties, both at policy and technical levels.

2.

UNHCR shall continue to exert efforts to secure resettlement places

for eligible Vietnamese in countries of first asylum and, where

feasible, to promote other appropriate solutions.

3.

In the framework of a voluntary repatriation programme, the two sides

have agreed to co-operate on the basis of the following principles

and conditions:

a)

The SRV Government states that persons who leave the country

illegally commit an offence and are subject to the provision of

the law in that respect. However, within the framework of its

humanitarian policy, the SRV Government will ensure that the

voluntary return from the countries of first asylum will take

place in conditions of safety and dignity in conformity with

national and international law. This would include the waiver

of prosecution and of punitive and discriminatory measures.