TNAG-1906-FCO40-2710-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 103

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34. REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM INHUMANE

As Report of Select Committee recognised, would be quite inhumane to keep non-refugees indefinitely in dentention centres in Hong Kong and elsewhere, without any prospect of resettlement.

Must be right for us to work for arrangements to enable them to return to their country of origin safely and without fear of punishment.

35. ABANDONMENT OF FIRST ASYLUM

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Object of our policy is to produce results which will ensure that the situation in Hong Kong remains under control and principle of first asylum can be preserved.

But if arrivals continue at unsustainable rate and if specific measures discussed at the International Conference do not begin to produce early and effective results, then Hong Kong will simply be unable any longer to maintain the policy of first asylum.