TNAG-1906-FCO40-2710-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 36

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FM UKMIS GENEVA

TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 527

OF 241404Z AUGUST 1989

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INFO ROUTINE WASHINGTON, HONG KONG, HANOI, UKMIS NEW YORK

YOUR TELNO 219: HUMAN RIGHTS: 41ST SUB-COMMISSION: FORCIBLE REPATRIATION (INCLUDING VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG)

1. DISCUSSION OF ITEM 16 (RIGHT TO LEAVE ONE'S COUNTRY) WAS COMPLETED IN THE SUB-COMMISSION ON 23 AUGUST.

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2. HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES (HRA) INTERVENED IN THE DEBATE AS EXPECTED BUT DID NOT MENTION ''IMMINENT FORCIBLE REPATRIATION'' OF VBPS FROM HONG KONG OR CRITICISE DIRECTLY THE HONG KONG SCREENING PROCESS (TEXT BY FAX TO UND AND HONG KONG, BY BAG TO WASHINGTON AND HANOI). HRA EXPRESSED CONCERN IN GENREAL TERMS ABOUT REFOULEMENT OF REFUGEES AND FORCIBLE REPATRIATION OF DISPLACED PERSONS WHO FACED THE THREAT OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ON RETURN. HRA'S WRITTEN SUBMISSION COUR TELNO 522) IN SUPPORT OF ITS ORAL STATEMENT IS LIKELY TO BE CIRCULATED NEXT WEEK.

3. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE DID NOT EXERCISE A RIGHT OF REPLY ON

WE THE LINES SUGGESTED IN TUR, SUPPLEMENTED BY HONG KONG TELNO 2812. TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY, HOWEVER, TO DISCUSS AGAIN THEIR CUNFOUNDED) CRITICISMS OF THE SCREENING PROCESS IN HONG KONG, EMPHASISING THAT

ΤΟ UNHCR HAD FULL ACCESS AND HAD BEEN CONSULTED THROUGHOUT. REINFORCE OUR POINTS, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE COULD MAKE AVAILABLE TO HRA THE BRIEFING NOTE ON SCREENING AND APPEALS CHONG KONG TELNO 2697). GRATEFUL FOR CLEARANCE TO DO SO.

SANKEY

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.HUMAN RIGHTS

LIMITED

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