18
On 23 February 1989, the British Government confirmed a commitment to take an additional 1,000 Vietnamese refugees over the next 2-3 years.
Following a diplomatic campaign coincident with the UK offer, other resettlement countries have indicated an increase in the number of resettlement places they will make available for 1989. But over 15,000 refugees still await resettlement from Hong Kong, and over 10,000 await repatriation or screening.
Since September 1988 the number of arrivals in Hong Kong decreased substantially. But there are concerns that the number of departures from Vietnam may increase again in about May 1989, when the weather becomes more favourable for the journey to Hong Kong.
6.19 There is therefore an urgent need to work towards a durable solution to the problem of Vietnamese Boat People. Efforts at the moment are concentrated on preparations for an International Conference, planned to be held in Geneva in June 1989. The focus of the conference will be a document detailing a Comprehensive Plan of Action, already drawn up in draft by an international drafting group, which will cover:
a) The introduction of a region-wide screening policy.
b)
Resettlement of those who are refugees.
c)
Repatriation of those who are not refugees.
6.20
Pending a durable solution, boat people in Hong Kong will remain in camps awaiting either resettlement or repatriation. The
Hong Kong Government have embarked on a programme to liberalise the
regime in the centres for refugees, to enable them to take up work
in the country, to leave the centres for schooling, and in due
course to move freely within Hong Kong. These centres will be managed by the UNHCR. People awaiting repatriation will continue to
be held in closed centres.
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