ABCAEP
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: REPATRIATION
Background Note
1. In June 1988 the Hong Kong Government introduced a policy of screening all Vietnamese boat people on arrival to distinguish
genuine refugees from the rest. Those screened in have access to
resettlement. Those screened out must remain in closed centres until arrangements for their safe return to Vietnam have been made.
2. We have agreed with the Vietnamese a comprehensive settlement is needed to cover all non-refugees. We are making a start with
those who have already volunteered to go back, through a programme under the auspices of the UNHCR. The first group of 81 volunteers are expected to return on 2 March. Several hundred boat people have already volunteered to go back and we hope that others will follow their example once the arrangements are seen to work. The Vietnamese authorities have given assurances of safe treatment and the programme will be monitored by UNHCR.
3.
There has been press interest, both before and after the Governor's call on the Prime Minister, in the question of forcible repatriation. According to press reports, the Governor took a tough line on the subject before his departure from Hong Kong. But he avoided the issue of compulsory repatriation in talking to the press after his meeting with the Prime Minister.
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