TNAG-1970-FCO40-2803-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1989 — Page 12

5.

6.

Voluntary repatriation

5.1

5.2

5.3

Any individual is able to apply for voluntary repatriation. At this date 350 or so have done so. Although some of those have changed their minds, the first group is due to return on 2 March.

Given the intolerable conditions in the Detention Centres in Hong Kong, one must question the so-called 'voluntary repatriation' of Vietnamese asylulm seekers.

There was an agreement signed by UNHCR, Vietnam, Hong Kong and the British Government discussing guarantees of safety and protection for those returning. There is no information on how this would actually be implemented.

Recommendations

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

No screening arrival;

they should be recognised as refugees on

No detention/closed centres;

The British Government to take more positive steps to increase offers of resettlement in the west e.g. via the Geneva Conference in June. To date only 4,200 have accepted;

Government

The British should use the Geneva Conference in June 1989 to clarify existing resettlement countries' criteria for accep- tance and to make agreements in other resettlement countries regarding 'hard to settle' people e.g. unaccompanied elderly with no links either in the camps or in centres abroad, single young, physically handicapped people, etc;

The British Government to influence UNHCR and the Hong Kong Government to set up programmes to improve people's chances of acceptance for ressettlement e.g. improve language provision and vocational training for the west.

This may mean making some services compulsory and finding ways of compensating those who would otherwise be working;

The British Government to make more money and resources available to improve services. (So far, only £2,500 has been given for materials for teaching English);

The British Government to pressure the Hong Kong Government and UNHCR to organise better services for refugees in Hong Kong e.g. coordination, education, adjustment to open camps, orientation, etc;

The British Government should take the opportunity in the Geneva Conference to encourage other western countries through diplomatic means to urge the Vietnamese Government to abolish all re-education prisons and adhere to the most basic human rights;