TNAG-1974-FCO40-2807-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-closed-camp-policy-1989 — Page 15

21/02/89

19:47

سا

LION GENEVA

We have considered this in HKD,

and decided not to respond

on this occasion di

& 104

Gill: pl: face to M. Seakinnin, UND D

-extend from ICJ statement- wale item 10 (16 february).

Any need to respond?:

FEDCA13/16

RECEIV

TRY

AR1989

IND.

Ken

Mr Chairman,on the question of detention, we would like to draw attention to the plight of resume asylum seekers who are detained for prolonged periods under harsh conditions which is Ast. practiced in several countries in different parts of the world. According to the UNHCR the Jetion of asylum seekers 'under harsh condiuons, for long periods and without justifiable cause has recently increased'(A/Ac.96/713).

The UNHCR Executive Committee in 1986,adopted conclusion 1.0.44 which states that in view of the hardship involved detention of asylum seekers and refugees should not be automatic and should be avoided. Detention for the purpose of a preliminary interview to determine the status of the asylum seeker should not lead to detention of a person for the entire duration of a prolonged asylum procedure.Detention measures should be subject to judicial or administrative review and the conditions of detention should be humane.

! Mr.Chairman, one example,is the condition of Vietnamese boat people in HongKong.In June 1988, the HongKong authorities introduced a new refugee screening policy under which those Vietnamese arriving after 16 June were considered illegal immigrants, unless they can prove they are political rather than economic refugees.Those who are not political refugees will be liable to imprisonment,deportation or both.Since June 1988, about ten thousand Vietnamese have arrived in Hong kong who are detained in three closed camps run by prison officers or police. The condition of these closed camps is said to be appalling and worse than a prison.In July last year there were allegations that some of the inmates were beaten up by camp officials which was later confirmed by a govemment appointed inquiry committee. In addition to these ten thousand persons, there are also about fifteen thousand Vietnamese who are classified as refugees and awaiting resettlement abroad but who are meanwhile detained in prison like camps. We respectfully submit that the HongKong authorities should take steps to improve the conditions of the camps for both asylum seekers and refugees, so that their living conditions are made more humane.

Met

對

N2312

Mr Footman, HKD

This is the

text

of Firsts (15).

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д

cumvent

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a statement by the International Commission -on NGO - at the mision on theman Rights in Genera. It was made under Iten 10, coming treatment undet detention and imprisonment. Uk opting in reply are (1) to ignore it ; (2) reply orally diving the Crep semary; (93) provide wither corrections. UND reamed the last of these. The debate in tento was last week, it a verbal reply is it recessary. But there are

on which you may misleading and incorect ports record stright. If you agree, please parde tries will do

wich to set the a staterent -sadas which we can hand to the ic3 member, Prering if you forew; a diperent approach.

R.GWYNN UND

23.2

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