TNAG-2061-FCO40-2939-Vietnamese-boat-people-conditions-in-the-refugee-camps-in-Ho-1990 — Page 32

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Č.P. LUNDON

For inmediate release.

19.00 bra, Wednesday 9 May 1990

Save the Children azpTCAARA CODcar ahout violenus in refugee camps in Fong Kong

Vietnames

Save the Children's Field Director in Hong Kong, Philip Barker, this morning expressed concern about the effect of police action in Viatnamese refugee camps in Hong Kong. His remarks spacifi- cally referred to a police raid al Whilehead refugee Centra carried out in the early hours of Friday 4 May.

Philip Barker said:

"We're Very concerned that there seems to be a steady and worrying escalation of violence in the camps.

There are

thank 5,000

Lke sampa and violance obviously leaves disturbing effects. Last Friday over 100 rounds of tear gas ware fired within the close con- finan of the camp Children are still anffarino the no- tional and physical affects. The vast majority of Viet- namusu with young families would have welcomed the raomoval of trouble makers but instead suffered heavy handed treat- mant themselves".

Philip Baiker pointed out that there had been disturbing reports from Vietnamese camp residents of harsh treatment following the raid:

"We have had a very common pattern of Vietnamese saying to us that they were made to land out in the opan fram Vary early in the morning until three or four o clock in the af- Lernoon with no food or drink. If they wanted to urinate or defacate they had to do it in exactly where they were in full public view".

Philip Barker seid that Save the Children would be passing on statemente received from Vietnamaze residents of the camps to tha Hong Kong authorities. However, he pointed out that!

dipeless people's

opival

idantity.

"We have been alted not Thama io

the blom of a downwand anyĹNAl of foar and

grublom alienation in the camps. The number and consistency of the

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