significant change in the proportion of northerners arriving in Hong Kong since the 1970s when the majority of arrivals came from the south. In 1988 over 70% of arrivals were northerners. This fact must be borne in mind in evaluating the rate of positive status determination decisions.
It should also be remembered that although the initial determination results have been announced for about 800 people, all those determined not to be refugees have the right to appeal against this decision. The determination procedures are not concluded until the Executive Council has given its decision on the appeals. The appeal process is the appropriate stage for considering any objections, by the UNHCR or the persons concerned, about the initial
determination results. No appeals have yet been considered by
the Executive Council.
Acting on a request from UNHCR, the Hong Kong Government has, in accordance with the humanitarian considerations set
out in the UNHCR guidelines, given priority to the processing of those people seeking family reunification. This explains the high proportion of such cases in the positive decisions so far announced. The UNHCR's concern has been noted and close
monitoring of results will continue, but the Hong Kong Government feels that it is too early to draw firm conclusions
at this stage.
The UNHCR's note draws attention to a number of specific issues of procedural detail where it was considered that improvements should be introduced:
(a) First, that the interviewing officers should use a questionnaire in a form recommended by UNHCR and complete all sections as appropriate. This is agreed and is the practice. The cases identified in which the questionnaire was not completed in full were those where re-interviews were necessary following the introduction of the UNHCR recommended questionnaire. Most of the information had been previously
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