CONFIDENTIAL
286
1080
ABC AGF
Mr. Paul
нка
From
A R Paul
Department
Thank
ju
عالم
10%
Date:
13 March 1989
ваного руб
PS/PUS
17
PATRICK WRIGHT....
"SCREENING PROCEDURE" FOR BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
1.
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✓ Misa Manoen
14 F43 Mc Haswell!
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The PUS minuted on his copy of the Initial Memorandum for the
Foreign Affairs Committee Enquiry into Hong Kong as follows:
"I recall great sensitivity in Geneva (UNHCR) about the use of the
words 'screening procedure'. Does it matter?"
2.
There is indeed some sensitivity within UNHCR about the use
of the phrase. Some UNHCR officials believe it gives the impression
of prejudging the applications of people seeking asylum, or that it
could imply that people are being denied opportunities for
resettlement.
3.
UNHCR's preferred wording is along the lines of "refugee
status determination mechanism". This kind of formula is found in
most formal documents on the subjeft (including the Memorandum of
Understanding signed between UNHCR and the Hong Kong Government and
the Comprehensive Plan of Action, agreed in Kuala Lumpur. But it
is a cumbersome mouthful, and the generally accepted shorthand of "screening procedure" is used extensively in Hong Kong, in international fora, and in Parliament. It has not given rise to any UNHCR objections in recent months in any of these contexts.
4.
I do not therefore think that the use of this phrase in the
Memorandum matters. But we will ensure, in the course of our next
session of informal briefing, that the Committee are aware of the
sensitivities involved.
ARPanc
A R Paul
CONF IDENTIAL
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